Childhood obesity trends and nutrition programs highlighted in Portugal and Brazil

In Portugal, the Portuguese Association Against Childhood Obesity (APCOI) will host the first ‘Fruit Heroes’ conference on September 10, 2026, in Lisbon. The event marks 15 years of a national program aimed at promoting healthy eating habits in schools across mainland Portugal and the Autonomous Regions. The conference will present recent data on fruit and vegetable consumption in schools, including specific information for the Setúbal district, developed in collaboration with the University of Lisbon’s Faculty of Medicine.

In Brazil, federal government data indicates that approximately one in three children is overweight. Experts warn that if current trends persist, more than half of the country’s children and adolescents could be overweight by 2035. Health professionals emphasize that childhood obesity is a chronic, multifactorial condition influenced by genetics, family habits, sleep quality, and the consumption of ultra-processed foods. They advise against restrictive diets and social stigma, noting that treatment should focus on well-being and professional guidance rather than aesthetic concerns.