Obesity epidemics: what can be done in termos of public health?

Obesity has been considered epidemic worldwide, particularly indeveloped countries but also in emerging countries as Brazil. Ithas been estimated that the greatest increase in prevalence ofobesity in this century will occur in developing countries. Theimplications of this picture for the population health are disastrous,taking into consideration the huge economical and social costs.This article includes epidemiological aspects of obesity in theworld and in Brazil, indicating reasons for considering an importantpublic health problem. Using the body mass index, the nutritionalstatus of populations worldwide can be compared. The Brazilianpopulation experiences the nutritional transition and in urbanregions the behaviour of weight excess, related to socioeconomicand educational factors, is similiar to the that of developedcountries. Strategies for obesity prevention have been adopted bypublic organizations, supported by scientific societies, in order tominimize the dramatic picture of the obesity accross the world,although the impact is still low.