Studies indicate a significant increase in obesity in the country, and experts warn of the impact of modern lifestyle and the danger of unsupervised self-medication
Obesity is the alarm of a problem that is silently advancing in the country and in the world. According to data from World Atlas of Obesity 2025, made by World Obesity Federationthis year, almost 31% of Brazilian adults live with obesity. Projections indicate that, by 2030, the disease will increase by 46.2% among women and 33.4% among men.
First, to Dr. Elaine Dias JKDoctorate in Endocrinology at USP and metabolologist, obesity is a major global concern in medical conferences. “It has no longer been an aesthetic problem for a long time. We are talking about a chronic, multifactorial and complex disease, which needs to be treated with responsibility and professional monitoring. There are no miracle recipes, but strategies based on science”explains the doctor.
Beware of the indiscriminate use of drugs
The expert also reinforces concern about the indiscriminate use of slimming drugs, especially unregulated ones Anvis. “There are products sold with quick promises, without studies or quality controls. This can cause serious damage to your metabolism and health. Self-medication is not a cure”warns.
According to the Vigitel 2023the most recent survey of Ministry of Health21.9% of adults in Brazilian capitals live with obesity and 60.9% are overweight. However, the impact is not only clinical: according to data from the Institute of Health Policy Studies (IEPS), excess weight already represents an estimated cost of R$22 billion per year for the public health system.
Obesity among young people
Furthermore, the problem is also growing among young people. Report of Unicefpublished in September 2025, highlights that obesity among school-age children and adolescents has more than tripled over the past two decades, rising from 3% to 9.4% since 2000. For the first time, the rate exceeds that of global malnutrition. “Genetics, anxiety and binge eating are among the main triggers of fat accumulation. Therefore, the focus should be on overall health, and not just the weight on the scale”underlines the doctor. Elena.
The doctor explains that obesity is linked to a number of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and even some types of cancer. Therefore, to identify the type and degree of obesity, the doctor recommends more complete evaluations, which go beyond calculating the BMI. “It is important to include the measurement of abdominal circumference, body densitometry and bioimpedance. These are tests that allow us to better understand the patient’s body composition and the real risk”he says.
Find out how to prevent obesity
Furthermore, the doctor specializing in healthy weight loss emphasizes that some habits are essential for improving general health and, consequently, preventing obesity.
“A tip to know whether the foods you are eating are ideal or not is to keep in mind the importance of peeling more and unpacking less. Eat as many unprocessed options as possible, prefer fresh and natural ones, especially avoiding ultra-processed foods and foods rich in trans fats. These foods cause inflammation in our body, worsening the stress hormone, which is one of the main factors that cause binge eating. It leads to overweight and obesity, affecting the entire metabolism. This, in people who have comorbidities, such as diabetes, hypertension, among others, causes worsening and increases the risk of very serious consequences.”Dr. Elaine points out.
Finally, it underlines that some practices must be part of everyday life, regardless of age, professional activity or pathology. Three foolproof tips are:
– Create a healthy environment at home and at work: avoid what is called an obesogenic environment. Therefore, if a binge eating episode occurs, if the person only has access to lean foods, they will automatically eat them instead of unhealthy options;
– Fiber-rich foods: they are great allies of the sense of satiety, as well as helping to reduce sugar levels in the body;
– Basics done well: water to hydrate the body, rice and beans, eggs, fruit, vegetables and legumes are essential and accessible to all.
*Text by Gabrielle Cosendei, from Infato Comunicação
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
