Brazilian Childhood Obesity Rate Trebles

23 Sep 2016 --- A study of more than 5000 children has found that obesity has trebled in Brazilian schoolchildren over the past 30 years, rising from 6% in 1986 to 18% in 2016. The research from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) is the latest data to highlight the growing obesity epidemic in Brazil.

Investigators evaluated the rates of obesity, overweight and high blood pressure in 3897 children aged 10 to 15 years attending schools in Rio de Janeiro in the years 1986 and 1987. They then returned to the same schools 30 years later and conducted the same measurements in 1722 children of the same age.

The results showed that the prevalence of overweight and obesity combined nearly doubled over the 30-year period, from 17% to 32%.

There was a greater increase in obesity (6% versus 18%) compared to overweight (11% versus 14%) after 30 years.

“Our findings are worrying, given that adults who were obese in childhood and adolescence are the most common victims of early death from cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke,” said last author Dr Andréa Araújo Brandão, a cardiologist at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and abstract coordinator for the congress.

The obesity problem in Brazil is one of the worst in the world, and there are concerns that its effects will continue to result in widespread disease.

“The high rates of obesity in children in Brazil today puts them at greater risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, low self esteem and even depression,” said Dr Brandão. “There is no doubt that we need to encourage healthier habits among these young people,” she continued.

“It is of utmost importance to adopt public policies to regulate food in school canteens and impose restrictions on food advertising. Encouraging physical activity at schools and at home, and the reduction of sedentary leisure time, are also important measures,” Dr Brandão stressed.

Actions have been taken to try and tackle the poor eating habits of Brazilian children. The Nutrition and Food Security Plan, which incorporates the Nestlé Healthy Kids Program, was recently launched in the country, aiming to educate school children on the importance of a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

Philippe Aeschlimann, Corporate Communications at Nestlé Brasil told NutritionInsight: “The program’s main objective is to improve teacher’s knowledge about healthy eating habits so they can teach students and help kids to have a healthier lifestyle.”

He continued, “The program supports school cooks with trainings to improve healthy meals. The KPIs are to increase the number of teachers trained, students impacted and quality of activities with kids developed. In 2015, more than 2000 teacher and 450 cooks of 640 schools were trained in São Paulo.”

However Dr Brandão believes that a more holistic approach is needed to fully tackle the growing epidemic. “Family involvement is critical and fundamental to successfully improving children’s lifestyle habits.”

She continued, adding,“Paediatricians are key players in the early diagnosis of excess weight and blood pressure changes. Starting at three years of age, every child should have their blood pressure measured each year.”

Professor Fausto Pinto, ESC immediate past-president and course director of the ESC program in Brazil, also stressed the need for further action, saying, “Prevention of heart disease starts at a young age. Children should be encouraged to be physically active and avoid prolonged periods of sitting.”

“Legislation is needed to restrict marketing of unhealthy foods to children and parents should avoid smoking when children are present.”

By Hannah Gardiner