THE INFLUENCE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE INCREASE IN OBESITY IN BRAZIL AND IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CASCAVEL – PR

Abstract

The present study aims to investigate the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic on the increase in obesity in Brazil and in the city of Cascavel-PR. This is a qualitative and quantitative research, in which the theoretical framework is based on the Scielo, PubMed, Virtual Health Library and other internet portals. The study relies on research carried out on the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System Website – SISVAN, with an emphasis on analyzing data on the population's weight gain rates in the corresponding period from 2019 to 2023, seeking to understand the change in numbers before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. It was found that measures to minimize the spread of SARS-CoV-2 caused changes in the population's lifestyle due to social and home isolation, causing health consequences, such as weight gain. The data show an increase in obesity in the population in the years 2020 and 2021 in all age groups, both in Brazil and in the municipality of Cascavel -PR, when compared to the year 2019. However, to minimize obesity, as a health problem, Public Health requires special attention to creating conditions to promote changes in eating habits and encourage people to practice physical activities, which requires educational strategies on the part of public authorities at the federal, state and municipal levels.