Lifestyle, the Brazilian Unified Health System and Obesity: Strategies for Health Promotion, Prevention and Comprehensive Care
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22097380Palabras clave:
obesity; lifestyle; health promotion; Unified Health System; Primary Health Care; chronic diseases.Resumen
Obesity has become one of the most important public health challenges worldwide due to its association with chronic diseases, reduced quality of life, increased healthcare demands, and social inequalities. Its development results from complex interactions between individual behaviors, biological characteristics, socioeconomic conditions, environmental factors, and broader social determinants of health. Therefore, addressing obesity requires approaches that move beyond individual responsibility and incorporate comprehensive strategies focused on health promotion, prevention, and integrated healthcare. Within the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), obesity management represents a major challenge requiring coordinated actions across different levels of care. Primary Health Care plays a central role in promoting healthy lifestyles, identifying nutritional risks, supporting behavior changes, and coordinating access to specialized services. However, persistent challenges related to professional training, healthcare organization, social inequalities, and the obesogenic environment limit the effectiveness of current strategies. This academic essay analyzes the relationship between lifestyle, SUS, and obesity management, discussing strategies for health promotion, prevention of chronic noncommunicable diseases, and comprehensive care. The manuscript explores the importance of healthy behaviors, intersectoral policies, Primary Health Care, and integrated approaches for addressing obesity as a complex health condition. The discussion emphasizes that effective obesity management requires actions combining individual support, environmental changes, public policies, and strengthening of healthcare networks.
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Derechos de autor 2026 Journal of Social Issues and Health Sciences (JSIHS)
Esta obra está bajo una licencia internacional Creative Commons Atribución 4.0.
