“Nutrition transition” describes the shifts in dietary consumption and energy expenditure influenced by economic, demographic, and epidemiological changes at a population level. This phenomenon has been associated with rising obesity rates worldwide, especially in developed countries. In Brazil, the historical analysis of temporal trends between malnutrition and obesity characterized the nutrition transition in the country and interweaved it with the formulation and implementation of public food and nutrition policies. Such analysis is crucial for understanding certain principles in each context. Thus, this review contextualized the consolidation of obesity as a critical health and public policy issue in Brazil. Our review suggested that the country may still be at the initial stage of care for obesity, and more efforts are needed to contain the advance of the disease in Brazil.

Obesity, a multifactorial disorder, has been associated with alterations in metal metabolismand epigenetic modifications. This pilot case–control study aimed to investigate serum cobalt concentrations and associated DNA methylation patterns in women with obesity. Serum cobalt levels were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), revealing significantly higher cobalt concentrations in participants with normal weight than in participants with obesity. Additionally, DNA methylation analysis identified differentially methylated positions (DMPs) associated with cobalt exposure, and DMPs between groups highlighted hypomethylation in the top DMPs in individuals with obesity. Functional enrichment analysis of these DMPs unveiled potential pathways implicated in apoptosis, cancer, and metabolic signaling, warranting further investigation into the mechanistic links. This study provides preliminary insights into the interplay between cobalt exposure, DNA methylation, and potential implications for obesity management.

Bariatric surgery induces profound metabolic changes that may influence epigenetic mechanisms regulating genes involved in energy metabolism. Given the global burden of obesity on women’s health, understanding molecular responses to surgical treatment is essential. This study investigated the effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on DNA methylation of the β-3 adrenergic receptor ( ADRB3 ) gene and its influence on energy expenditure in women with obesity. Sixteen participants were evaluated before and six months after surgery, including measurements of body composition, resting metabolic rate (RMR), and metabolic biomarkers. After RYGB, significant reductions were observed in body weight, fat mass, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and absolute RMR. DNA methylation analysis revealed two differentially methylated CpG sites within ADRB3 , and significant global hypomethylation. Postoperatively, ADRB3 methylation correlated positively with RMR, explaining 38% of its variance, along with oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production. Functional analysis supported ADRB3 ’s role in thermogenesis and lipid metabolism. These findings demonstrate that RYGB not only improves metabolic parameters, but also induces epigenetic remodeling of ADRB3 , potentially influencing postoperative energy expenditure. This work provides new insights into the epigenetic regulation of metabolism and highlights ADRB3 as a potential target for personalized obesity treatment in women.