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Prevalence of childhood obesity in Brazil: systematic review and meta-analysis

Carolina Muller Ferreira1, Natália Dutra Dos Reis1, Andresa de Oliveira Castro1

  • 1Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.

Jornal De Pediatria
|February 12, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Childhood obesity prevalence in Brazil was 8.2% over three decades, rising to 12% in recent estimates. Boys and children in more developed regions showed higher rates, with significant increases over time.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a growing global concern with significant health implications.
  • Brazil faces a substantial burden of childhood obesity, necessitating accurate prevalence data.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and estimate the prevalence of childhood obesity in Brazil using representative population-based studies.
  • To analyze trends and variations in childhood obesity prevalence across different decades and Brazilian regions.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic search of multiple databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus) was conducted up to September 2019.
  • Fifty-three population-based studies (n=122,395) assessing obesity in children under 10 years were included.
  • Meta-analysis with Freeman-Tukey transformation was used to calculate prevalence (95% CI), and meta-regression/Egger's test assessed heterogeneity and publication bias.

Main Results:

  • The overall prevalence of childhood obesity in Brazil was 8.2% (95% CI: 8.1-8.4%) across the three decades studied (1986-2015).
  • Prevalence increased significantly over time, from 6.5% in the 1990s to 12.0% in the 2010s.
  • Higher prevalence was observed in boys (9.7%) compared to girls (7.3%), and varied by region, with the Southeast (10.6%) and South (10.1%) showing higher rates.

Conclusions:

  • Childhood obesity affects over 8% of Brazilian children on average, with recent estimates reaching 12%.
  • Prevalence is higher in boys, recent decades, and more developed regions, indicating a concerning upward trend.
  • These findings highlight the need for targeted public health interventions to address childhood obesity in Brazil.
Abstract

Keywords:
BrazilChildMeta-analysisPediatric obesityPrevalenceSystematic review

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