Government and society build a strategy to prevent obesity in the country

This Tuesday (02/04), the Ministry of Social Development, Assistance, Family and Combating Hunger (MDS) took another step towards the recomposition of the Intersectoral Strategy for the Prevention of Obesity among the Brazilian population. A working group, coordinated by the National Secretariat for Food and Nutritional Security (Sesan/MDS), organized within the scope of CAISAN and formed by representatives from various government sectors, civil society and researchers, met in Brasília (DF) to continue the dialogue with a focus on planning actions to be carried out over the next ten years and defining those that are priorities, so that they can be launched in the second half of 2024.

Obesity, like hunger, is a social problem that unequally affects the most vulnerable population individually, socially and territorially”

director of the Healthy Eating Promotion Department at Sesan/MDS, Patrícia Gentil

The Intersectoral Obesity Prevention Strategy is based on the Human Right to Adequate Food (DHAA), provided for by the Federal Constitution, and will be implemented within the scope of the Food and Nutritional Security System (SISAN). “Obesity, like hunger, is a social problem that unequally affects the most vulnerable population individually, socially and territorially”, argues the director of the Healthy Eating Promotion Department at Sesan/MDS, Patrícia Gentil. For her, the challenge of taking Brazil off the Hunger Map for good involves ensuring people’s access to healthy food as a result of a collective effort from different sectors of society.

With a focus on promoting healthy and sustainable food systems, with access to adequate and healthy food, Sesan/MDS has led initiatives that support the production, distribution and commercialization of healthy food consumption, as well as promoting initiatives food and nutritional education and appreciation of food crops. Among the commitments made by the secretariat, within the scope of the Federal Government’s Multi-Year Planning (PPA 2024-2027), is the renewal of the Intersectoral Obesity Prevention Strategy, launched in 2014 and interrupted in 2018.

“The fight against obesity is a challenge that needs to be taken on by our society, through the involvement of everyone. The Strategy is a call to the population, governments and civil society to understand and tackle this, which is a social problem”, concludes the director.

Communication Advisory – MDS