Brazil sees surge in diabetes‑related leg amputations

Diabetes is the leading cause of lower‑limb amputations in Brazil, accounting for about 85 % of all leg and foot amputations, according to the Ministry of Health. Patients often arrive at health centres with advanced diabetic foot ulcers that are difficult to treat, as illustrated by 77‑year‑old Maura Aleixo, who lost her right leg below the knee after a long‑standing diabetes complication.

Obesity is a major driver of the diabetes burden. Approximately 43 % of type‑2 diabetes cases worldwide are linked to excess body fat, and Brazil’s overweight prevalence in capital cities rose from 42.6 % in 2006 to 62.6 % in 2024. Health experts note that sustained weight loss improves insulin sensitivity and can even induce remission of early‑stage diabetes, with greater weight reductions offering higher chances of metabolic improvement.

Both articles highlight the urgent need for better preventive measures, early diagnosis, and comprehensive management of obesity to curb diabetes‑related amputations in Brazil.