Energy balance
The increase in overweight and obesity in Brazil is primarily driven by a 'contemporary Western lifestyle' characterized by dietary changes (increased consumption of fast food, processed foods, and dining out) and reduced physical activity due to urbanization and technological adoption.
To combat rising obesity, focus on structural changes: promote access to healthy foods, encourage active transportation, and limit the marketing of processed foods, rather than just telling individuals to 'eat less and move more'.
The two most frequently cited causes of this trend have been dietary changes and reduction in physical activity, characterizing a 'contemporary Western lifestyle'.
Why this rating
The paper is a review of national survey data and trends, lacking primary experimental intervention data, but uses large-scale population statistics.
Source
Aspectos das práticas alimentares e da atividade física como determinantes do crescimento do sobrepeso/obesidade no Brasil
Cristina Pinheiro Mendonça et al. · Cadernos de Saúde Pública · 2004
DOI 10.1590/s0102-311x2004000300006
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- The consumption of energy-dense, processed, and fast foods, along with dining out, contributes significantly to positive energy balance and obesity, even when total caloric intake estimates might appear to decrease due to methodological limitations in surveys.Moderate
- Reductions in physical activity, particularly occupational and domestic physical activity, due to technological adoption (appliances, transportation) and lifestyle changes (TV, computer use), contribute to obesity.Moderate
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