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Trends in Morbid Obesity and in Bariatric Surgeries Covered by the Brazilian Public Health System

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Abstract

Background

Obesity is an increasingly serious public health problem on a global level. Morbid obesity, defined as a body mass index greater than 40 kg/m2, is associated with increased mortality and a high burden of obesity-related morbidities.

Methods

To study the prevalence of morbid obesity in Brazil, three national anthropometric surveys were reanalyzed. Data about bariatric surgeries were obtained from the Ministry of Health Hospital Information System, which is available online.

Results

A 255% rise in the prevalence of morbid obesity was observed, starting at 0.18% in 1975–1976 and growing to 0.33% in 1989 and 0.64% in 2002–2003. There was a higher rate in the South in the first two surveys, but the prevalence in the Southeast rose steadily, reaching 0.77% in 2002–2003 and overtaking the South. Since 1999, the Brazilian Unified Health System has covered surgical treatment for morbid obesity. From 2000 to 2006, there was a sixfold increase in the number of surgeries, which topped the 2,500 mark in 2006. The geographic distribution of these surgeries is heavily concentrated in the Southeast, the most developed region of Brazil, where there is also the highest prevalence of morbid obesity. This was followed by the Southern region.

Conclusions

The figures for the rise in morbid obesity in Brazil are startling, especially the increase among men. This is a situation that calls for further study, alongside measures to encourage the adoption of healthy lifestyles. Preventive measures aimed at slowing down or reversing the obesity epidemic are urgently required.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil

    Leonor Maria Pacheco Santos

  2. Health Sciences Faculty, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil

    Isabella Vasconcellos de Oliveira

  3. Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Health, Brasília, Brazil

    Lilian Rose Peters

  4. Department of Nutrition, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Wolney Lisboa Conde

Authors
  1. Leonor Maria Pacheco Santos
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  2. Isabella Vasconcellos de Oliveira
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  3. Lilian Rose Peters
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  4. Wolney Lisboa Conde
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Leonor Maria Pacheco Santos.

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Santos, L.M.P., Oliveira, I.V., Peters, L.R. et al. Trends in Morbid Obesity and in Bariatric Surgeries Covered by the Brazilian Public Health System. OBES SURG 20, 943–948 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-008-9570-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-008-9570-3

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