Nutrição, atividade física e obesidade em adultos: aspectos atuais e recomendações para prevenção e tratamento

Resumo

Obesity is a chronic nontransmissible disease, characterized by excessive body weight, whose prevalence is rising at alarming levels in developed societies as well as in developing countries. In Brazil, overweight (body mass index – BMI ≥ 25.0kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30.0kg/m2) reached 40% of women and 27% of men in the 80’s and 90’s decades. A diet high in energy density and a sedentary lifestyle are considered the most relevant factors that could explain the increasing obesity in western societies. For obese people, it is recommended a loss between 5 and 30% of body weight (about 0.5 to 1.0kg/week), depending of the levels of obesity, by means of a decreasing of 500 to 1000kcal in daily diet. The low energy diet must be balanced in terms of macronutrients and it must contain foods low in energy density, i.e., restriction in simple carbohydrates-rich foods and alcohol and increase in consumption of foods rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and water. Both physical activity and diet must be used to lose weight and to maintain the weight lost. Physical exercise with moderate intensity is recommended for at least 30 min/day, including routine activities. Thereby, healthy food habits and active lifestyle must be essential goals in the prevention and treatment programs of obesity.

Descrição

Palavras-chave

Obesidade, Obesity, Dieta redutora, Exercício, Perda de peso, Diet, Body composition, Weight loss, Physical activity, Prevenção e controle

Citação

BERALDO, Fernanda Carneiro; VAZ, Inaiana Marques Filizola; NAVES, Maria Margareth Veloso. Nutrição, atividade física e obesidade em adultos: aspectos atuais e recomendações para prevenção e tratamento. Revista Médica de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, v. 14, n.1, p. 57-62, 2004.