Young children are the main victims of fast food induced obesity in Brazil

Abstract

IntroductionObesity and overweight strongly contribute to increasing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and are becoming a worldwide health issue. The prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically in Latin America. Child obesity is a major issue. Fast food is strongly suspected of contributing to this epidemic of obesity, although there is a lack of evidence.MethodsWe studied the correlation between the number of McDonald restaurants and overweight and obesity prevalence by region stratified by gender and age. Data on prevalences were obtained within national studies conducted by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Three age sub-groups were analyzed: 5 to 9-year-olds, 10 to 19-year-olds and over 19-year-olds.ResultsThere was a very strong positive correlation between overweight rates and the number of McDonald restaurants for both males and females between 5 and 9 years old (R2 respectively = 0.92 and 0.84) and a strong positive correlation for females between 10 and 19 years old (R2 = 0.68).There was a very strong positive correlation between obesity rates and the number of McDonald restaurants for males between 5 and 9 years old (R2 = 0.95). This positive correlation was strong for both males and females between 10 and 19 years old (R2 respectively = 0.77 and 0.63).Other correlations were not significant.ConclusionA strong correlation between the prevalence of overweight and obesity and the number of McDonald restaurants was found for Brazilian children and was most important within the group of youngest children. These results should be taken into consideration by education and prevention campaigns.

Consumo de alimentos altamente procesados y de alta palatabilidad y su relación con el sobrepeso y la obesidad

“…Lo anterior evidencia el impacto de los APAP y las bebidas endulzadas en la ganancia de peso corporal a partir de las últimas décadas del siglo XX e inicios del XXI. En ese sentido, el auge de las cadenas de restaurantes de comida rápida está interrelacionado con el aceleramiento de la tasa mundial de obesidad; por ejemplo, en Brasil se comprobó una fuerte conexión entre las tasas de sobrepeso/obesidad y el número de restaurantes McDonald's, es más, fueron aún mayores en niños y niñas de 5 a 9 años (R2= 0,95-0,84) (Reuter et al, 2019).…”

Adolescent Obesity: Case Study of McDonald’s Happy Meal

“…Global prevalence and trends of overweight and obesity among preschool children indicated that the prevalence of overweight and obesity in developed countries was estimated to be one times more than that in developing countries [3]. However, both developing countries and developed countries, like China, Brazil, and the USA, reported a rapid escalation in childhood obesity in recent years [4][5][6].…”

“…Modern lifestyle has contributed to a dramatic change in our eating habits, and fast food has become popular, which directly or indirectly leads to obesity [4]. Previous research revealed the association between obesity and the availability or accessibility of fast food [6].…”