OVERVIEW OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN THE SÃO FRANCISCO VALLEY (2020–2024)

Abstract

Childhood obesity is a condition characterized by the excessive accumulation of body fat in children, which can negatively impact both physical and emotional health, increasing the risk of developing chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disorders. This study aimed to examine the issue of childhood obesity in the São Francisco Valley by analyzing the number of primary care visits and recorded cases of overweight children between 2020 and 2024. To this purpose, a retrospective study was conducted using data from the Food and Nutritional Surveillance System (SISVAN) and records of childhood obesity consultations from the Primary Care Health Information System (SISAB), covering the years 2020 to 2024 in the cities of Juazeiro (Bahia) and Petrolina (Pernambuco). According to SISVAN data, over this five-year period, the number of overweight children in the São Francisco Valley showed an upward trend, particularly in the post-COVID-19 pandemic phase. Regarding the number of primary care consultations, Petrolina recorded an annual average of 46.6 consultations, while Juazeiro recorded an average of 42.02. In both cities, the majority of childhood obesity consultations were for boys, who accounted for approximately 58% of cases, compared to 42% for girls. These findings underscore the need to strengthen and expand prevention efforts targeting childhood obesity in the São Francisco Valley. Such initiatives should be adapted to local specificities and implemented through a multidisciplinary and intersectoral approach, involving coordinated actions among health services, schools, and families to promote healthy habits and address the determinants of weight gain from an early age.