Heavy Brazil: 55.7 Percent of Brazilians Are Overweight, 19.8 Percent Obese

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The lack of control over food, lack of exercise, among other factors, have led the Brazilian population to reach alarming levels regarding obesity. The subject was cause for concern in Santa Catarina.

Recent Research on Surveillance of Risk Factors and Protection for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey (Vigitel) of the Ministry of Health, points out that obesity has been growing in the country.

The increase was 67.8 percent in the last thirteen years, going from 11.8 percent in 2006 to 19.8 percent in 2018. Obesity increased more among adults aged 25-34 and 35-44, up 84.2 and 81.1 percent, respectively.

More than half of the population, 55.7 percent, are now overweight. This is an increase of 30.8 percent, compared to 42.6 percent in 2006. When gender is considered, men show a 21.7 percent increase but a 40 percent increase for women.

In order to raise the issue, young state deputy Fernando Krelling, who has his electoral base in sports and is a physical education teacher and former director of sports organizations, paid tribute to ASSOBESIMOR (Association of Morbid Obese of Joinville and Region), which was organized by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Santa Catarina (ALESC).

“I met this association two years ago. What caught my attention was that ASSOBESIMOR is an organization focused on others, on improving people’s quality of life and self-esteem”, commented Krelling.

The ALESC deputy described the work of ASSOBESIMOR with a quote. “There is a saying that if you have a dream, fight for it because no one will fight for you. Morbid obesity is a difficult disease”, says Fernando Krelling.

“In addition to health issues, there are also psychological issues, day-to-day difficulties, and prejudice. ASSOBESIMOR tries to change these people’s ways, to change their stories, that’s why it deserves to be honored”, concludes the state deputy.

In addition to the Association, which was awarded a recognition plaque, the current board of directors and patients were given plaques and diplomas in reference to the services provided to the community.

“We received this tribute as recognition for the volunteer work we have developed. It’s fuel for our struggle,” said Joel Ferreira Santana, president and founder of ASSOBESIMOR, 56 years old.

Joel underwent bariatric surgery in 2004 and lost 40 kilos in weight. “In this process, we felt the need to organize a movement that would defend the interests of this population, demanding an adequate treatment, giving support to the obese and those who have already undergone surgery,” he said.

The interim president of ASSOBESIMOR, Maria Carolina Ventura Cardoso, 24 years old, added: “This recognition by ALESC and deputy Fernando Krelling is of paramount importance because it fosters an awareness of the community in our struggle, in our work”.

Maria Carolina underwent bariatric surgery a year and a month ago. “I weighed 170 kilos. The surgery was a change of course. I wouldn’t leave home because I couldn’t walk, I had several dreams that were frozen. I believe that the fact that I struggled to get my surgery also made me look at the difficulties of other obese patients,” she said.

The association’s interim president finished by saying that “it is necessary to make society aware that the obese patient isn’t that gluttonous, lazy person, who is fat because he or she wants to be. Obesity is a disease and the patient needs treatment”.

For several problems typical of the Brazilian public administration, the surgeries had stopped in Joinville due to a lack of materials.

However, the municipal health secretary, physician Jean Rodrigues da Silva said that the city government will provide the materials as a donation to the regional hospital. He was the most applauded during the ceremony.

Obesity Day

Agência Brasil pointed out that on October 11th, World Obesity Day, the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabology and the Brazilian Association for the Study of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome delivered a message on the importance of the fight against discrimination due to weight and of treating the subject with respect.

“Obesity I Treat with Respect”, is the campaign’s motto.

In addition to reducing the quality of life, obesity is a risk and aggravating factor for diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, asthma, liver fat and even some types of cancer.

The treatment should be continuous and monitored by trained professionals so that the condition does not worsen over the years.

The date was proclaimed in 2015 by the World Health Organization (WHO) to support solutions that help people achieve and maintain a healthy weight and stimulate policies to fight this public health issue. Some 13 percent of the world’s adult population is obese.