New generation of children is taller in BR; obesity has become more common

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In Brazil, children are getting taller and, in parallel, the percentage of children affected by childhood obesity is growing. This is what a new study published this week in the scientific journal reveals. The Lancet Regional Health – Americas.

In total, 5.7 million Brazilian children, aged 3 to 10, contributed to research on height and obesity levels in Brazil. Data on the health of the new generation were collected between 2001 and 2014, and generate alarm among experts.

Tallest children in Brazil

To determine the increase in average height between generations, the heights of those born between 2001 to 2007 and 2008 to 2014 were compared. The conclusion is that, regardless of gender, they are around 1 cm taller. Greater height “is associated with positive health outcomes, such as a lower probability of heart disease, stroke, and greater longevity”, says Carolina Vieira, researcher at the Center for Data and Knowledge Integration for Health (Cidacs/Fiocruz Bahia) and leader of the investigation, in a note.

Furthermore, “the growth in height of Brazilian children reflects economic development and improvements in living conditions in past years”, he points out. In the Brazilian context, data collected between the 50s and 80s already pointed to this trend, which continues.

In other emerging countries, an increase in height can also be observed over recent years. These are the cases of China, South Korea, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

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Increase in childhood obesity

When analyzing the Body Mass Index (BMI), it is possible to observe an increase of 0.06 kg/m2 among boys and 0.04 kg/m2 among girls. For the authors, the average BMI trajectories “have changed little”. However, what turns the red light on is the issue of the prevalence of obesity.

In comparison, the prevalence of overweight for the age group of 5 to 10 years increased by 3.2% among boys and 2.7% among girls. In relation to obesity, the percentage went from 11.1% to 13.8% among boys and from 9.1% to 11.2% among girls. This is an increase of 2.7% and 2.1%, respectively, between the two groups.

In the case of children aged 3 and 4, weight gain also occurred, but on a smaller scale. Overweight affects 0.9% of boys and 0.8% of girls. Meanwhile, there was an increase in obesity from 4% to 4.5% in boys and from 3.6% to 3.9% in girls. Growth was 0.5% and 0.3%, respectively.

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As obesity is a multifactorial issue, there is no single reason to explain the increase in obesity. However, the authors highlight two related behaviors:

• Change in children’s diets, favoring the consumption of ultra-processed foods — those rich in carbohydrates, saturated fat, sugar and salt;
• Increased sedentary lifestyle and physical inactivity among children.

Given the current context, the authors argue that “there is a need to develop intervention strategies early in life to prevent the development of obesity”, a condition associated with a high risk of chronic diseases. Schools can help with this process.

In addition to researchers from Cidacs/Fiocruz Bahia, the study on Brazilian children included the participation of scientists from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (Ufmg) and University College London.

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Source: The Lancet Regional Health and Agência Fiocruz