Malnutrition and overweight are significant public health challenges, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In the Amazon, high rates of malnutrition and the alarming rise of obesity highlight persistent regional inequalities. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze spatial distributions and temporal trends of malnutrition among children under five, adults, and elderly individuals in primary healthcare services across municipalities in the Legal Amazon from 2013 to 2023. Methods: This ecological study used data from the Food and Nutritional Surveillance System (SISVAN). The analysis included the prevalences of underweight, overweight, and obesity, stratified by year, sex, and federative unit. Spatial distributions were analyzed using QGIS version 3.22, and temporal trends were assessed with Joinpoint version 4.6 and expressed as annual percentage changes (APCs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Results: Between 2013 and 2023, SISVAN monitored 10,451,758 children under five years, 30,831,720 adults, and 4,456,650 elderly individuals in the Legal Amazon. Stunting in children under five years decreased from 20.45% to 15.30%, with a significant downward trend (APC: −2.7; 95% CI: −3.7; −1.6). Childhood overweight exhibited a general downward trend but with notable fluctuations. Overweight in adults increased from 48.85% to 64.64%, and obesity from 17.10% to 28.49%, both showing significant upward trends. For the elderly, underweight decreased from 17.47% to 13.04%, with a downward trend until 2018, while overweight increased from 42.35% to 48.22%, with a significant upward trend until 2017. Conclusions: Despite progress in reducing childhood underweight, its prevalence in the Legal Amazon remains high compared to national averages. Significant regional disparities and rising overweight rates among adults and elderly individuals indicate a need for targeted public health strategies to address these nutritional issues.

The aim of this study was to analyze the trend of severe obesity in the capitals of the Brazilian states and the Federal District, from 2006 to 2021. For this purpose, a time-series, population-based, observational study was designed using data from the VIGITEL Survey. The dependent variable of this study was the prevalence of severe obesity, which was defined as a body mass index ≥ 40 kg/m². Time series analysis was conducted using Joinpoint Regression Analysis Software v.4.9.1.0. In this study, a normal distribution was assumed, and the average annual percentage change (AAPC) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were presented. In total, 778,445 individuals participated in the study (38.2% were male and 61.8% were female). The prevalence of severe obesity has increased from 1.1% in 2006 to 1.9% in 2021. The average annual percentage change indicates an upward trend for the period (AAPC: 4.7; 95% CI: 3.8; 5.7). When stratifying the trend of severe obesity by sex, a significant upward trend was observed for females (AAPC: 4.3; 95% CI: 1.9; 6.8). There was a significant upward trend for all age groups, skin colors, and education levels. However, the older age groups and those with less education had lower AAPC.

This study aimed to analyze overweight trend and obesity in adults from Rio Branco, Acre, Western Brazilian Amazon, from 2006 to 2020. This is a time series study, with data from Surveillance System for Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey (VIGITEL). To estimate annual percentage change (APC) and 95% confidence intervals, the software Jointpoint Regression Analysis v.4.6.0.0., was used. In Rio Branco, overweight prevalence ranged from 44.0% in 2006 to 58.9% in 2020, with a bigger frequency among men than that among women. Obesity prevalence has increased from 12.5% in 2006 to 21.4% in 2020, similar between both sexes. From 2006 to 2020, overweight APC was 5.2% (95% CI: 1.4; 9.1) by 2010, and decreased to 1.3% by 2020. Public policies to control obesity and its risks must be both, implemented as strengthened.

This study aimed to test the factorial structure of the Eating Motivation Survey (TEMS) using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) in a sample of 632 university students from the Western Brazilian Amazon. A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2022 and April 2023 with participants of both sexes, aged 18 or older. In addition to CFA, psychometric analyses were performed, and a Structural Equation Model was developed to examine the relationships between individual characteristics (age, sex, and Body Mass Index (BMI)) and the TEMS constructs. The results showed that 58.3% of participants were female, with a mean age of 25.29 years. The CFA supported an eight-factor model (health, natural concerns, socialization, price, visual appeal, weight control, emotional control, and social image) with 24 items, presenting good validity and reliability indices. Older individuals and those with lower BMIs prioritized health, natural concerns, and weight control, while younger participants, women, and those with higher BMIs were more influenced by emotional control. The findings contribute to understanding eating motivations in culturally diverse contexts and may support strategies aimed at promoting healthier dietary behaviors and preventing diet-related chronic diseases.

The aim of this study was to analyze the factors associated with overweight and obesity in a sample of university students. This was a quantitative, cross-sectional analytical observational study conducted with undergraduate students at the main campus of the Federal University of Acre. The study included a total of 655 students, 58.3% being female and 41.7% male. The overweight was 48.9%, with higher rates among males (53.8%), those aged 30 years and older (76.6%), and those from families with incomes above three minimum wages (57.2%). Obesity was present in 18.2% of students, with higher rates among females (18.8%), those aged 30 years and older (34.2%), and 19.1% among those from families with incomes above three minimum wages. The age group of 30 years and older; non-utilization of the university restaurant; being female; and self-rated health as regular, poor, or very poor emerged as associated factors with overweight in university students in the adjusted final model. The same association pattern for obesity was observed, except for the variable of gender. The findings of this study point to a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity among older university students, those who reported unfavorable self-rated health, and those who reported not consuming meals offered at the UR.