Overweight increases by more than 70% among 18-24 year olds

Over the past 15 years, the overweight rate of young Brazilians aged 18 to 24 has increased from 20.65% in 2006 to 35.71% in 2021 – a rise of over 70%. In people aged 25 to 34, there was a jump from 37.67% to 54.41%, with a growth of 44% in the period. Data were obtained through the Surveillance of Risk and Protection Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey (Vigitel) system of the Ministry of Health.

According to Gilberto Kac, professor at the Josué de Castro Nutrition Institute at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), overweight is not a new phenomenon, but it increases every year.

There is no doubt that overweight and obesity are serious problems. They can generate diabetes, hypertension, various types of cancer, osteoarticular and cardiovascular problems. We see this obstacle growing more and more in developed countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States, but in recent years we have seen this mainly in underdeveloped and low-income countries such as Brazil.

Gilberto Kac

Kac points out that these health problems are more common in older people. But, according to the nutritionist, young people may suffer early risks according to their health status, especially in cases of sedentary lifestyle.

In addition to young people, people over 35 gained weight above the national average in all the years provided by the Ministry of Health. In 2006, 48.55% of Brazilians were overweight in the age group of 35 to 44 years. In 2021, that number was 62.38%. The same occurred in individuals between 45 and 54 years old: from 54.74% they jumped to 64.39%.

In the age range of 55 to 64 years, the difference was 9.89 percentage points: rising from 56.81% to 64.06%. People over 65 had a change from 52.39% to 60.72%.

Professor Gilberto Kac analyzes that there are several factors that drive this increase, such as the current food system and the lack of public attention.

There is a question of purchasing power and access. There are several industrial conglomerates that pressure these individuals, through marketing, to consume ultra-processed products, such as cookies and soft drinks, and other items with low-cost characteristics. Furthermore, the lack of government regulation and frontal labeling of these products should have much more advanced programs to protect the population from this type of taste formation.

Gilberto Kac

In general data, 42.74% of the Brazilian population was overweight in 2006. In 2021, the last year released by the federal agency’s system, this rate was 57.25%.

affected economy

The health problems caused by overweight can even affect the economy, according to economist and professor at Ibmec Vivian Almeida. She explains that the more sick people, the greater the chances of market productivity being negatively affected.

“People with chronic diseases, of all age groups, can affect productivity, especially young people, who are the root and energy of the economically active population. The physical is a big part of it, from the physical to the intellectual. So it tends to scale. It is an exciting process and problem, which can affect the country’s GDP. The economy is us. The person is the economy. If the person’s health is not good, nothing will be 100%”, he says.

In addition to health, Vivian points out that the rise in food prices caused by inflation makes people look for a way out, such as cheaper and ultra-processed foods.

“It is possible to observe a loss of consumption for some time. Gradually and convergingly, the loss of income and consumption shows a worsening in food. An example of this is ultra-processed products, which are attractive for many reasons: cheaper, access. If we look at it from the consumption side, this will be the effect on the Brazilian body. On average, the worsening of eating is related to the worsening of health”, adds the specialist.

* Under supervision of Pauline Almeida

Source: CNN Brasil

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