STUDY OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN THE POPULATION OF JUAZEIRO OVER THE LAST 5 YEARS [2020-2025] CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE

Abstract

Obesity is recognized as a chronic non-communicable disease resulting from multiple factors, including energy imbalance, genetic predisposition, eating behaviors, and environmental aspects. In childhood, it constitutes a serious public health problem on a global scale and is growing rapidly in Brazil. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that, since the 1980s, the obesity rate among Brazilian children has more than doubled. In 2016, approximately 9.4% of children under 5 years old were overweight, and 12.7% of those aged 5 to 9 were already obese. Between 2020 and 2025, the municipality of Juazeiro-BA registered a progressive increase in cases of childhood obesity, peaking in 2024 with 1,654 notifications, followed by a slight reduction in 2025, but still at a high level. Females showed a higher prevalence, with approximately 480 cases in 2024, compared to 350 in males. Similarly, Salvador-BA followed this trend, registering a total of 827 cases in 2024, showing that childhood obesity is on an upward curve throughout the state. The survey also identified changes in dietary patterns among children aged 5 to 9 years, observing, until 2022, an increase in the consumption of fruits, vegetables and complete meals, followed by a significant drop in subsequent years. The results reinforce the need for intersectoral strategies in Juazeiro-BA, aimed at promoting healthy eating habits, encouraging the practice of physical activities and strengthening health education as a way to contain the advance of this problem.