6 in 10 Brazilians are overweight or obese, according to Datafolha

This Sunday (18), a survey was pointed out by Datafolha with a pharmaceutical company from Denmark, Novo Nordisk, that 59% of Brazilians are overweight or obese, which was defined by the Body Mass Index (BMI), but only 11% had this statement through formal means.

According to the World Obesity Federation atlas, 54% of the adult population is overweight or obese. Datafolha interviewed 2,012 people with an average age of 43. The institute said that the survey was designed in a completely illustrative way and took into account terms related to gender, social class and regions of the country.

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The surveys

The numbers in the surveys revealed by Datafolha are in accordance with the most recent data from the Surveillance of Risk Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey (VIGITEL) 2023, a monitoring carried out every year by the Ministry of Health, which indicated that 61.4% of adults had a BMI above 24.9, and 24.3% were obese, when the BMI exceeds 29.9. The new survey drew attention to some people who are in gaps that have an even greater risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and others and their own self-perception. In addition to the numbers, 61% of overweight and obese people say they are in good health.

More information

A professor from Unicamp gives an example where 96% of respondents recognized that obesity is indeed a health problem in general. There are large numbers of people who are obese but still believe they are in good health. There is a difference between understanding the problem and accepting it and giving it the importance it deserves, but it is important for people to see it as a health issue and not an aesthetic one. Research shows that most people are overweight or obese and 67% do not want to stay the same weight, with obesity alone reaching 82%. However, it is important to seek treatment from a specialist who will perform the appropriate procedures for treatment.

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