Obesity triples over 30 years, affects one in four adult Brazilians

Obesity rates in Brazil have surged threefold over the past 33 years, affecting one in every four adults. This alarming trend was revealed in a recent study published in the Lancet, part of the Global Burden of Disease series. Among adults aged 25 and older, the prevalence of obesity climbed from 7.8% in 1990 to 27.7% in 2023.

Brazil experienced the most significant increase among the 17 Latin American countries surveyed, with a staggering rise in the proportion of overweight individuals. At present, 66.8% of Brazilians are categorized as overweight or obese, compared to 40.3% in 1990. The survey also found that, when combined, the prevalence of excess weight rose from 40.3% in 1990 to 66.8% in 2023, indicating that two out of every three Brazilians have a body mass index (BMI) above the normal range.

The study attributes this rise to changes in lifestyle habits, such as diet and physical activity. According to Deborah Carvalho Malta, a researcher at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil has undergone a nutritional transition with two contrasting outcomes - a decrease in malnutrition and a decline in food quality. Ultra-processed foods, which are cheaper, heavily marketed, and contain high levels of fat, sugar, and sodium, have replaced healthier options like beans and fruits.

Furthermore, there has been a decline in the consumption of legumes, which are a crucial source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Malta argues that policies should be implemented to encourage healthy eating, such as increasing taxes on ultra-processed products and reducing taxes on healthy foods. She emphasizes the importance of breastfeeding until the age of two and ensuring that healthy foods are provided in school meals. Additionally, the expert highlights the need to address sedentary behavior among Brazilians, who are engaging in less physical activity and spending more time in front of screens.