Sespa warns about the care against childhood obesity

World Childhood Obesity Awareness Day is celebrated on June 3. In reference to this date, the State Department of Public Health (Sespa) draws society's attention to the risks of excess weight in childhood and reinforces the importance of prevention from the early years of life.

Childhood obesity is a growing public health problem in Brazil and worldwide. It is a condition in which children up to 12 years old present excess body weight, usually above what is considered healthy for their age and height.

According to the World Obesity Atlas (2024), by 2035, half of children will have an elevated Body Mass Index (BMI). This number, which currently stands at 1 in every 3 children in Brazil, could rise to 50% of cases among people aged 5 to 19 in the next 11 years. According to the Ministry of Health, about 15% of Brazilian children are obese. In Pará, the challenges are even more complex due to factors such as food insecurity, changes in consumption patterns, and reduced physical activity among the youth.

According to data from the Food and Nutritional Surveillance System (Sisvan) of the Ministry of Health, from January to May of this year, in Pará, the risk of overweight affects 19.19% of children aged zero to 5 years, with overweight at 8.33%. In this same age group, 5.06% of children were affected by obesity. In the age group of 5 to 10 years, 14.29% of children are overweight, 7.4% are obese, and 3.66% have severe obesity.

The state coordinator of Nutrition at Sespa, Walkiria Moraes, explains that preventing childhood obesity requires the involvement of family, school, and public authorities. “The formation of healthy habits from childhood is fundamental. This includes encouraging exclusive breastfeeding until six months of age, the gradual introduction of natural foods, the daily offering of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy proteins, as well as reducing the consumption of ultra-processed foods high in sugar, fat, and salt. It is also essential to stimulate daily physical activities, with outdoor play, sports, and limited screen time,” she emphasized.

In addition to practices at home, the role of the State is essential in formulating public policies that promote child health. To this end, Sespa has reinforced intersectoral programs and actions aimed at preventing and combating childhood obesity. Among the initiatives is participation in the Health in School Program (PSE), which brings nutritional assessment actions, promotes healthy eating, and encourages sports practice in public schools.

In Pará, there is also a partnership between health, education, social assistance, and agriculture through the National School Feeding Program (PNAE). State schools receive technical support from nutritionists to offer balanced meals with regional products, promoting good eating habits from an early age.

Another important action takes place at the Peace Factories (UsiPaz), where children and adolescents have free access to sports such as swimming, martial arts, and dance, contributing to physical and mental well-being.

At the national level, Brazil also has fundamental instruments such as the Food and Nutritional Surveillance System (Sisvan), which monitors the nutritional status of the population and guides public policies, and the dietary guidelines, both the Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population and the Guidelines for children under 2 years, which provide clear and evidence-based guidance on healthy eating.

Furthermore, Law No. 13,666/2018 makes food and nutritional education mandatory in the basic education curriculum, strengthening the role of schools as spaces for promoting health.

“Combating childhood obesity is a collective commitment. The best path is prevention, promoting healthy eating habits from an early age, encouraging physical activity, and access to public policies that ensure a healthier and higher quality of life childhood,” pondered Walkiria Moraes.

Text: Suellen Santos - Ascom/Sespa