Health experts address obesity and metabolic complexity in Brazil

Health experts are highlighting the complexity of weight management and the rising rates of obesity in Brazil. With over 60% of the Brazilian population overweight, specialists emphasize that successful weight loss depends on individual metabolic profiles rather than simple calorie counting.

Nutrologist Sebastião Viana Júnior notes that factors such as muscle mass, visceral fat, insulin sensitivity, stress, and thyroid function play critical roles in how the body responds to treatment. He advises that weight stagnation is often a biological response rather than a lack of discipline, requiring a personalized approach involving clinical history, physical exams, and laboratory tests.

In the context of childhood obesity, which affects approximately 32% of children in Brazil, experts warn of the impact of ultra-processed foods. Nutritionist Thaís Cardeal Ramos describes the competition between natural foods and ultra-processed items as an ‘unfair war’ due to the high levels of sugar and fat that make processed foods hyper-palatable. Endocrinologist Claudia Cozer Kali also points to the influence of digital culture, noting that food delivery apps often lead children toward less nutritious meal options.