Intersectoral approach to obesity prevention and control: The Brazilian experience from 2014 to 2018

Abstract

The present article aims to describe and discuss the actions implemented from 2014 to 2018 at the federal level in the context of the Intersectoral Strategy to Prevent and Control Obesity issued by the Brazilian federal government. The goal of the Intersectoral Strategy is to prevent and control obesity based on six action plans: 1) availability and access to adequate and healthy foods; 2) education, communication, and information; 3) promotion of healthy lifestyles in specific environments/territories; 4) food and nutrition surveillance; 5) comprehensive care for individuals presenting obesity in the health care network; and 6) regulation and control of the quality and harmlessness of food. To gather information, semi-structured questionnaires were submitted to representatives from the ministries of Education, Health, Planning, Citizenship, and Agrarian Development. The actions implemented in the period were described in terms of the six action plans. Positive results were achieved through the shared management model adopted, even though many challenges still remain. The agenda for action proposed in the Intersectoral Strategy is attuned to the Brazilian context, and intersectoral management was still in place until the writing of the present article.