nutriçao

S332

ARTIGO ARTICLE

A desnutrição e obesidade no Brasil: o enfrentamento com base na agenda única da nutrição
Malnutrition and obesity in Brazil: dealing with the problem through a unified nutritional agenda

Janine Giuberti Coutinho
Patrícia Chaves Gentil 1
Natacha Toral 1

1,2

Abstract
Coordenação-Geral da
Política de Alimentação e Nutrição, Ministério da
Saúde, Brasília, Brasil.
2 Observatório de Políticas de Segurança Alimentar e
Nutrição, Brasília, Brasil.
1

Correspondência
J. G. Coutinho
Coordenação Geral da
Política de Alimentação e
Nutrição, Departamento de
Atenção Básica, Secretaria de
Atenção à Saúde, Ministério da Saúde.
SEPN 511, bloco C, Edifício
Bittar IV, 4º andar, Brasília,
DF 70750-543, Brasil. [e-mail] [e-mail]

Introdução

Brazil, like other developing countries, is currently experiencing a nutritional transition that is often determined by poor eating. Population-based surveys have shown a continuing downward trend in undernutrition in this country, together with increases in excess weight at different stages of life. Monitoring the nutritional profile helps generate an attitude of surveillance and orientation of health promotion activities. The Family
Health Strategy, together with various situational aspects in Brazil, has shown tangible results in the reduction of undernutrition; still, poor eating has played a major role in the increased prevalence of obesity and other chronic non-communicable diseases, besides having a heavy impact on individual quality of life and placing a significant burden on the Unified National Health
System. Intervening in this contemporary public health dilemma requires prioritizing a unified nutritional agenda focused on the entire course of life, breaking the vicious circle that begins during the intrauterine period and lasts throughout life. A presença da desnutrição, deficiência de micronutrientes, excesso de peso e