Obesity and health service utilization in Brazil: data from the National Health Survey.

BACKGROUND: Obesity, a complex public health problem, is generally associated with other chronic diseases. The association of obesity with health service utilization has been little investigated in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to analyze the association between obesity and health service utilization (considering those services related to hypertension and/or diabetes). METHODS: A cross-sectional, nationally-representative, study of Brazilians aged ≥18 years was conducted. Data from the National Health Survey (2013) for 59,402 individuals were analyzed, including measured weight and height. The association between body mass index (BMI) category (under/normal weight, overweight, and obesity) and health service utilization due to hypertension and/or diabetes was investigated using Poisson regression models (crude and adjusted). To analyze the health services utilization, the following variables were considered: 1) routine visits to a general doctor or health service; 2) referrals/consultations with a specialist; 3) prescribed exams done; and 4) hospital admission due to the disease or related complication. All analyses were stratified by sex. RESULTS: Compared with under/normal-weight individuals, subjects with obesity (both male and female) made roughly double the use of all health care services assessed. Men with hypertension that had obesity had a higher risk of hospital admission (adjusted PR = 2.55; 95%CI 1.81-3.61), than those with under/normal weight. Women with diabetes that had obesity had more referrals/consultations with specialists (adjusted PR = 2.56; 95%CI 1.94-3.38), than those with under/normal weight. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of obesity was associated with increased use of health care services for hypertension and/or diabetes, indicating greater demand for human resources and materials, and a greater burden on the national health system.

Medication use and obesity in Brazil: results from the National Health Survey.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) associated with obesity generally require drug treatment. The use of medications in individuals with obesity has not been extensively investigated. The objective of this study was to analyze the relation between obesity and medication use. Data from the Brazilian National Health Survey 2013 was used, including 59,402 individuals. Weight and height measures were used to calculate body mass index (BMI) and categorized individuals according to BMI classification (exposure). The number of medications used for treating nine obesity-related NCDs was the outcome variable. Multinomial regression analyses were performed. The risk of use of medications to treat at least one NCD increased progressively with rising BMI, where this risk was even higher for treating two or more diseases. The risk of having to treat two or more NCDs with medications was approximately 70% greater among individuals with overweight (adjusted RR = 1.66; 95%CI 1.46-1.89), 170% greater in those with class I obesity (adjusted RR = 2.68; 95%CI 2.29-3.12), 340% greater for class II obesity (adjusted RR = 4.44; 95%CI 3.54-5.56) and 450% greater among individuals with class III obesity (adjusted RR = 5.53; 95%CI 3.81-8.02), compared with normal-weight subjects. Obesity was directly associated with drug utilization and the number of medications used to treat obesity-related NCDs.

Evolução temporal de indicadores de consumo alimentar e estado nutricional relacionados às doenças crônicas entre adultos na cidade do Rio de Janeiro e nas demais capitais brasileiras, 2006-2019 / Temporal trend of indicators of food consumption and nutritional status related to noncommunicable diseases in adults from the city of Rio de Janeiro and other Brazilian capitals, 2006 to 2019

Resumo Introdução: Alimentação e estado nutricional inadequados são importantes fatores de risco para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis (DCNT). No Brasil, a cidade do Rio de Janeiro (RJ) tem se destacado pela elevada prevalência de obesidade. Objetivo: Avaliar a evolução temporal de indicadores de consumo alimentar e de estado nutricional, relacionados às DCNT, em adultos da cidade do Rio de Janeiro e das demais capitais brasileiras. Método: Utilizou-se dados do Vigitel de 2006 a 2019. Modelos de regressão de Prais-Winsten foram empregados para avaliar a variação na prevalência dos indicadores de interesse. Esses foram definidos com base nas metas do Plano Nacional de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional (2016-19) e do Plano de Ações Estratégicas para o Enfrentamento das DCNT no Brasil (2011-22). Resultados: Não houve variação significativa no consumo regular e recomendado de frutas e hortaliças, assim como no consumo regular de doces. O consumo regular de refrigerantes diminuiu no RJ e nas demais capitais no período. A prevalência de excesso de peso e de obesidade aumentou significativamente no RJ e nas demais capitais do país. Conclusões: A evolução dos indicadores revela um cenário desfavorável para a saúde da população e para o alcance das metas dos planos nacionais.

Abstract Background: Inadequate diet and nutritional status are important risk factors for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). In Brazil, the city of Rio de Janeiro (RJ) has stood out for its high prevalence of obesity. Objective: To evaluate the temporal trend of indicators of food consumption and nutritional status related to NCDs in the adult population of the city of RJ and other Brazilian capitals. Method: Vigitel data between 2006 and 2019 were used. Prais-Winsten regression was used to evaluate the variation in the prevalence of interest indicators. These were defined based on the goals of the National Plan for Food and Nutritional Security (Plano Nacional de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional - 2016-19) and the Strategic Action Plan to Tackle NCDs in Brazil (Plano de Ações Estratégicas para o Enfrentamento das DCNT no Brasil - 2011-22). Results: Regular and recommended consumption of fruits and vegetables and regular consumption of sweets did not present significant variation, while the regular consumption of soft drinks decreased in RJ and other capitals during the period. The prevalence of excess weight and obesity increased significantly in RJ and in other capitals. Conclusions: The trend of the indicators reveals an unfavorable scenario for the health's population and to achieve the goals proposed in the national plans.