Brazil obesity cases monitored by SUS triple in ten years

Data from the Ministry of Health’s Food and Nutritional Surveillance System (Sisvan) indicates that the number of adults with obesity monitored by Brazil’s Primary Health Care system has more than tripled over the last decade. Between 2016 and 2026, the number of monitored individuals with obesity rose from 3.09 million to 11.12 million, representing a 259% increase.

According to the most recent data from January to October 2026, an additional 10.76 million monitored adults are classified as overweight. Combined, these two conditions affect 21.88 million people, accounting for 71.5% of the total population tracked by the system. Because Sisvan monitors those entering the Unified Health System (SUS) through primary care, the figures reflect the nutritional status of patients receiving care rather than the entire adult population of the country.

Obesity rates exceed those of individuals with adequate weight in 24 of Brazil’s 27 federative units. Rio Grande do Sul reports the highest proportion of obesity at 42.6%, followed by São Paulo at 40.5% and Rio de Janeiro at 40.1%. In terms of absolute numbers, São Paulo monitors the largest group of adults with obesity, totaling 1.74 million.