A survey carried out by the Datafolha Institute, in partnership with the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, revealed that 59% of the Brazilian population is overweight or obese based on the Body Mass Index (BMI) of those interviewed. In addition, it also showed a great contrast between the perception of health among Brazilians and the reality of chronic diseases in the country.
The Meu Peso, Minha Jornada survey, which had national coverage, interviewed 2,012 Brazilians with an average age of 43 years. The objective of the survey was to explore the Brazilians’ perceptions regarding overweight and obesity considered a chronic disease by the World Health Organization (WHO).
“The study sought to understand whether people are concerned about their weight, whether they intend to change this situation, whether they understand the relationship between obesity and other diseases and what type of treatment they would undergo. In other words, the study took significant and profound steps in the self-perception of health and obesity and what can be done about it,” says Bruno Geloneze, professor and researcher at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) and member of the Brazilian Association for the Study of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome (Abeso), CNN .
Brazilians’ perception of their own health is different from reality
The survey points to a contrast between the perception of health and the reality regarding chronic diseases among those interviewed. According to the survey, 64% of those interviewed claim to have “good” or “very good” health.
However, only 51% say they are free from health conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, bone and joint problems, and being overweight or obese. This represents a difference of 12 percentage points compared to their self-assessment.
Among the obese and overweight population, the difference is even greater: 61% claim to be in good health, but only 42% claim to have no health problems, representing a difference of 19 percentage points.
“This discrepancy is worrying, especially because in Brazil around 74% of deaths are related to diseases associated with obesity. Therefore, the research is an important step towards understanding Brazilians’ perceptions regarding obesity and the magnitude of the problem we are facing, and it helps us to think of solutions based on this data”, explains Thais Emy Ushikusa, physician and obesity manager at Novo Nordisk in Brazil.
According to the specialist, obesity is linked to more than 200 health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (such as hypertension, stroke, or CVA, and heart failure).
In Geloneze’s view, this contrast represents a dissociation between people’s self-perception and their actual state of health.
“This gap needs to be filled somehow, with regular check-ups and proper assessments to determine whether the person is in good health or has some other health problem,” says the specialist. “Some people say they are in good health, but when you investigate, they have high blood pressure. This gives a certain benignity to conditions that are not necessarily benign,” he warns.
Formal diagnosis and adherence to obesity treatment are still challenges
The study also showed that most overweight people (67%) do not want to maintain their current weight and express a desire to lose weight. Among those interviewed who are obese, the desire is even greater (82%).
However, motivation to lose weight and improve health can be hampered by external factors, including stigma and lack of proper diagnosis — the survey found that only 11% of respondents had received a formal diagnosis for these conditions.
In Geloneze’s view, what may be related to this gap in formal diagnosis is the lack of medical training, in different specialties, to perform the diagnosis. “Let’s imagine that an overweight person arrives at a cardiologist’s or orthopedist’s office with a specific health problem. The doctor is not always open or prepared to have a discussion about weight,” says the specialist.
Another point raised by Geloneze is that, to diagnose obesity, BMI is still widely used and not all specialties have devices to measure height and weight in their offices. “To make a diagnosis, you need to weigh and measure. In an ideal world, a more detailed assessment would be necessary, but height and weight are still not included as vital data in a medical consultation,” he says. “BMI has its flaws, but it is the first step in the assessment,” he adds.
Finally, the specialist also highlights that there is still a fear of judgment and shame in relation to being overweight and obese, which can make adherence to appropriate treatment even more difficult.
“This low diagnosis rate can be attributed, in part, to the stigmatization of obesity. It is crucial to understand that obesity is not a question of lack of character, willpower, laziness, carelessness or indiscipline — stereotypes that often fuel prejudice and prevent many from seeking the necessary treatment. It is a complex and multifactorial disease,” says Geloneze.
The expert emphasizes that the results of the research indicate the urgent need for greater awareness about the disease. “This analysis highlights the importance of guiding the population to seek a more specialized evaluation regarding issues of metabolism and obesity, preventing the progression to more serious problems. The lack of specialized monitoring can result in late diagnoses of related conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, which can lead to additional complications and negatively impact the patient’s quality of life,” he notes.
Source: CNN Brasil
I am an experienced journalist and writer with a career in the news industry. My focus is on covering Top News stories for World Stock Market, where I provide comprehensive analysis and commentary on markets around the world. I have expertise in writing both long-form articles and shorter pieces that deliver timely, relevant updates to readers.
