# Brazilian youth health and mental health trends > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/brazilian-youth-health-and-mental-health-trends > Updated: 2026-11-04T02:00:00.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. Health studies in Brazil have identified rising physical and mental health challenges among children and young adults. Research involving students in Minas Gerais, Rio Grande do Sul, and São Paulo found that 28.3% of participants exhibited hypertension, with a strong correlation noted between high blood pressure and obesity. Contributing factors included sedentary lifestyles and high screen time. Regarding mental health, research from the Federal University of São Paulo indicated a 40% increase in anxiety levels among individuals aged 18 to 25 following the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by social media use and academic pressure. Subsequent findings published in The Lancet, led by psychiatrist Christian Kieling, estimate that 15.6 million children, adolescents, and young people in Brazil live with at least one mental disorder. In São Paulo, hospitalizations of young children due to mental disorders have nearly doubled over the last five years. Experts advise that families and schools should monitor behavioral changes and refer children to professionals rather than attempting to diagnose conditions themselves. ## Timeline ### 2026-11-04: Mental health disorders affect millions of Brazilian youth A study published in The Lancet estimates 15.6 million Brazilian children and adolescents live with mental disorders, with anxiety being a major factor and hospitalizations rising in São Paulo. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mental-health-disorders-affect-millions-of-brazilian-youth ### 2026-10-29: Health concerns rise among Brazilian youth regarding hypertension and anxiety New research in Brazil reveals rising rates of hypertension among children linked to obesity and sedentary habits, alongside a 40% increase in anxiety among young adults. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/health-concerns-rise-among-brazilian-youth-regarding-hypertension-and-anxiety --- Cite as: Brazilian youth health and mental health trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/brazilian-youth-health-and-mental-health-trends