Tendências de indicadores de peso corporal nas capitais estaduais e no Distrito Federal do Brasil

Abstract

Background: Deaths, disabilities and various chronic diseases are being directly or indirectly attributed to body weight status worldwide. In this context, the monitoring of population-level body weight indicators is important to support the planning of public health responses. Purpose: To estimate trends in body weight indicators in adults (≥ 18 years old) in Brazil’s state capitals and Federal District. Methods: The mean body mass index (BMI) and prevalence of BMI categories, ranging from underweight to morbid obesity, were estimated annually from 2006 to 2016 for each state capital, for the Federal District, and for all state capitals and the Federal District overall, by sex. Obesity prevalence was also estimated by education level. The mean BMI and prevalence of BMI categories were standardized by age. Obesity prevalence projections up to 2030 were estimated using compositional regression. The association between years of schooling and obesity was analyzed using multilevel regression models. Results: From 2006 to 2016, the main findings were: (i) the overall age-standardized mean BMI increased from 25.4 kg/m² to 26.3 kg/m² in men, and from 24.5 kg/m² to 25.8 kg/m² in women; (ii) the overall age-standardized prevalence of overweight increased from 48.1% to 57.5% in men, and from 37.8% to 48.2% in women; (iii) the overall age-standardized prevalence of obesity increased from 11.7% to 18.1% in men, and from 12.1% to 18.8% in women; (iv) in general, the largest increases in age-standardized overweight and obesity prevalence were found in state capitals located in the north, northeast, and central-west regions of Brazil; (v) the age-standardized mean BMI trend was stable only in Vitória state capital in men; (vi) in general, obesity prevalence was highest in the population with low education level; (vii) in 2030, in the state capitals overall, it was estimated obesity prevalence projections of 31.1% and 31.8% in men and women, respectively; and (viii) the increase in one year of schooling was associated with a lower odds of obesity especially in women. Conclusion: The policies for preventing and treating obesity in Brazil over the past years were not able to halt the increase in obesity prevalence in the state capitals and the Federal District. Thus, a revision of Brazil’s policies for preventing and treating obesity is suggested. Furthermore, although policies are necessary in all state capitals, our results suggest that policies are especially necessary in the north, northeast, and central-west regions’ state capitals, where, in general, the largest increases in age-standardized overweight and obesity prevalence were experienced.