Public policies and coping of obesity in Brazil: a reflective review

Abstract

Background and objectives: Currently, obesity is considered a major public health problem because its prevalence set up at an alarming rate. The costs allocated to spending on obesity are very high and in the long run, can become obstacles to the sustainability of treatment of individuals, whether in the public, as in private. The objective was to reflect on the importance of public policies aimed at combating the epidemic of obesity and its costs to public health. Content: the treatment of diseases related to overweight and obesity entails a substantial number the costs, and in Brazil this expenditure is as high as 5% of expenses related to health. To tackle the obesity epidemic, public policies should provide stimulating environments that support and maintain healthy patterns of diet and physical activity, emphasizing that such attitudes must go beyond informing and educating the population. There are several actions proposed by the Brazilian government to organize policies for the area of nutrition and physical activity aimed at prevention and treatment of obesity. However, these interventions end up taking immediate and specific situations, remaining the challenge to be consolidated universally. Conclusion: it is necessary to look at a broader search for truly effective public policies, designed in the long term and that may involve the entire population. Take into account the awareness of practicing healthy habits, since interventions designed to promote health perspective will have a positive impact on the financial resources of public health.