Obesity rates in Brazil increased 118% since 2006

Obesity rates in Brazil have seen a significant increase, rising 118% between 2006 and 2024 according to Ministry of Health data. Projections presented at the International Obesity Congress (ICO 2024) suggest that by 2044, 48% of Brazilian adults could be obese, with an additional 27% being overweight.

Dr. Durval Ribas Filho, president of the Brazilian Association of Nutrology (ABRAN), emphasizes that obesity is a complex, multifactorial disease requiring multidisciplinary care rather than simple willpower. He warns against the trivialization of weight-loss medications, noting that many individuals use them for aesthetic reasons based on unscientific social media claims, which carries risks of weight regain and other metabolic issues.