Abstract
BackgroundObesity is associated with significant physical, psychosocial and economic burden globally. In Brazil, almost 50% of the population is either overweight or obese. The prevalence of morbid obesity increased by 255% between 1975 and 2003. The current study sought to quantify the relationship between weight status and health outcomes.MethodsData from three waves (2011, 2012, and 2015) of the Brazil National Health and Wellness Survey, an Internet-based survey administered to a demographically diverse sample of Brazilian adults, were used. Body mass index category was calculated based on self-reported height and weight and respondents were categorized into five groups (normal, overweight, obese class I, obese class II, obese class III; n = 34,254). Multivariable analyses, controlling for sociodemographic variables and health history, tested the association with body mass index group and outcomes including health status (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12-Item Health Survey version 2/Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36-Item Health Survey version 2), work productivity (Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-General Health Questionnaire), and costs associated with work impairment (indirect costs), self-reported healthcare resource use and associated direct costs.ResultsOverall, 53.6% of the surveyed Brazilian population reported being overweight or obese. In virtually all the analyses, increasing body mass index group was associated with significant and progressively worse outcomes. Most notable was the finding that hospitalization costs were over twice as high (R$3141.84 vs. R$1349.60) and indirect costs were nearly double (R$1656.80 vs. R$884.15) for obesity class III than for normal body mass index respondents.ConclusionsObesity rates in Brazil are considerable and, from a patient and societal perspective, increasingly burdensome, thereby highlighting the need for stakeholders to prioritize strategies for weight management interventions.
Highlights
Obesity is associated with significant physical, psychosocial and economic burden globally
In Brazil, the prevalence of morbid obesity increased by 255% between 1975 and 2003, but the prevalence of obesity was lower at a 152% increase [3]
Data source Data for this research study come from 3 years (2011, 2012, and 2015; n = 36,000) of the Brazil National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS), an Internet-based survey administered to a nationwide sample of Brazilian adults, aged 18 years and older
Summary
Obesity is associated with significant physical, psychosocial and economic burden globally. In Brazil, almost 50% of the population is either overweight or obese. The prevalence of morbid obesity increased by 255% between 1975 and 2003. Obesity is associated with a physical, psychosocial and economic burden globally. In Brazil, the prevalence of morbid obesity increased by 255% between 1975 and 2003, but the prevalence of obesity was lower at a 152% increase [3]. The greatest increase of morbid obesity was observed in the Southeast, followed by the South [3] and among various subpopulations, including adolescents [4], indigenous people [5], and women [6].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
