From science to society: Exploring the nexus between obesity research and public awareness in Brazil

Raising public awareness about the medical aspects of obesity is crucial in Brazil, given its escalating prevalence. This study investigated the correlation between scientific research on obesity in the country and public awareness by scrutinizing scientific publications and online search trends. Scientific data were sourced from Dimensions, while online engagement data were extracted from Google Trends. Key metrics were analyzed, including scientific publication trends, Altmetrics, news image trends, YouTube trends, and web search trends. Linear regression and the Mann-Kendall test assessed trends, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) explored dataset variations. Scientific publications on obesity in Brazil consistently increased from 2004 to 2023, reflecting growing scientific interest. The number of publications increased from 300 in 2004 to 7566 in 2022, representing a 25-fold increase. However, web search trends among the general population declined by 79 % during the same period, indicating ineffective "knowledge translation". Altmetrics and news image trends fluctuated, while YouTube trends exhibited a decline. The disparity between scientific publications and public web search trends highlights the necessity for more efficient scientific information communication. The gap between scientific publishing and public web search trends highlights the need for improved scientific communication. Measures such as formal science communication training for scientists, leveraging social media, embracing arts-based approaches, and nurse advocacy can facilitate informed public discourse and foster interest in obesity-related topics.