Time-trend in excess weight in Brazilian adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: This review aimed to estimate the time-trend prevalence of excess weight, overweight and obesity in the Brazilian adult population, from the 1970s–2020, through systematic review and meta-analysis (Protocol: CRD42018091002). Methods: A search for articles was conducted in the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and LILACS up to June 2021. Studies that assessed excess weight, overweight and obesity in the adult population were eligible. Two authors selected studies, collected data and assessed the methodological quality of the studies. The primary outcomes were the prevalence of excess weight, overweight, and obesity by sex and period of years. Pooled prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated in the meta-analysis of the random effects model. Heterogeneity (I2) was investigated by meta-regression and publication bias was investigated by Egger’s test. Results: A total of 7,938 references were identified in the search strategies, of which eighty-nine studies and nine national surveys, conducted from 1974–2020, were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of excess weight in Brazilian adults increased from 33.5% (95% CI: 25.0; 42.6%) in 1974–1990 to 52.5% (95% CI: 47.6; 57.3%) in 2011–2020. The pooled prevalence of overweight in Brazilian adults was 24.6% (95% CI: 18.8; 31.0%) from 1974–1990 and 40.5% (95% CI: 37.0; 43.9%) from 2011–2020. The pooled prevalence of obesity in Brazilian adults increased by 15.0% from 1974–1990 to 2011–2020. The increases were observed for both men and women in almost all periods. The prevalence of excess weight and obesity remained higher among women in all periods. Conclusions: A continuous increase in the prevalence of excess weight, overweight and obesity were observed over the years. The prevalence of excess weight affected half of Brazilian adults in the period from 2011–2020 and both sexes.