Generation at Risk: The Childhood Obesity Epidemic

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21727/rpu.v16i3.5268

Abstract

Childhood obesity is a chronic, heterogeneous, and recurrent disease associated with several health complications. It has been considered a major public health problem due to its high levels of prevalence worldwide. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of obesity in children aged five to ten years in Brazil, monitored in Primary Health Care. An ecological study with a descriptive approach, with data from the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System of the Ministry of Health. Data from 823,421 overweight children aged five to ten years were analyzed. The Brazilian region with the highest prevalence of childhood obesity was the Northeast (34.4%), followed by the Southeast (32.6%). In 2023, boys had a higher prevalence of total obesity (15.9%) compared to girls (12.9%). The Southeast region had the highest consumption of vegetables and legumes (71%), and the consumption of ultra-processed foods exceeded the 80% mark in all regions. The importance of epidemiological analyses is highlighted so that preventive approaches to childhood obesity focus on viable, effective interventions that have a positive impact on children's health.

Keywords: Obesity; Child; Epidemiology; Child Health.

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Author Biographies

Daniela Avelar Tavares, Universidade de Rio Verde (UniRV)

ADiscente de Graduação em Medicina, Universidade de Rio Verde (UniRV), Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil.

Carla Queiroz Fernandes De Paula, Universidade de Rio Verde (UniRV)

Discente de Graduação em Medicina, Universidade de Rio Verde (UniRV), Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil.

Giovanna Ferreira de Souza, Universidade de Rio Verde (UniRV)

Discente de Graduação em Medicina, Universidade de Rio Verde (UniRV), Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil.

Renata Félix de Moura, Universidade de Rio Verde (UniRV)

Discente de Graduação em Medicina, Universidade de Rio Verde (UniRV), Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil.

Fernando Silvério Vieira Bento Pinheiro, Universidade de Rio Verde (UniRV)

Discente de Graduação em Medicina, Universidade de Rio Verde (UniRV), Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil.

Heloísa Silva Guerra, Universidade de Rio Verde (UniRV)

Docente do Curso de Medicina, Doutora em Saúde Coletiva Universidade de Rio Verde (UniRV), Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil.  

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Published

2025-10-31

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 3 (2025): Revista Pró-UniverSUS V 16 N 3

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Daniela Avelar Tavares, Carla Queiroz Fernandes De Paula, Giovanna Ferreira de Souza, Renata Félix de Moura, Fernando Silvério Vieira Bento Pinheiro, Heloísa Silva Guerra

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