ARS | Publication request: Is obesity an emerging problem in Brazilian children and adolescents?

Submitted to: Jornal de Pediatria
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: July 15, 2009
Publication Date: February 1, 2010
Citation: Butte, N.F., Nguyen, T.T. 2010. Is obesity an emerging problem in Brazilian children and adolescents?. Jornal de Pediatria. 86(2):91.

Technical Abstract: In this issue of the Jornal de Pediatria, Silva et al. compared the growth patterns of Brazilian children and adolescents with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) growth charts. The Silva et al. study has significant public health implications. First, the use of international growth references to classify height, weight and BMI status in Brazilian children and adolescents will broaden the comparability of the growth data. Second, the study illustrated the need to stratify growth monitoring by age, gender and geographical region, and set a baseline for future tracking of secular trends. Third, the study emphasized the utility of growth monitoring for prioritizing public health interventions aimed at individual, familial, social, and environmental changes needed to promote optimal growth. National statistics on the prevalence of stunting, underweight, overweight, and obesity in Brazilian children will influence public health policies and answer the question whether obesity is an emerging problem in Brazilian children and adolescents.