Brazilian temporal trend of overweight and breast cancer mortality (2006–2018)

Priscilla de Lima Carneiro; Ilana Nogueira  Bezerra; Italo Wesley Oliveira Aguiar; Fernando Natalense da  Costa; Geórgia de Mendonça Nunes Leonardo; Luiz Gonzaga Porto Pinheiro; Cícera Chaves Lôbo; Sara Maria Moreira Lima Verde

doi:10.5020/18061230.2025.16907

Authors

Priscilla de Lima Carneiro Ceará State University, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9643-4852
Ilana Nogueira Bezerra Ceará State University, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2072-0123
Italo Wesley Oliveira Aguiar Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7743-3109
Fernando Natalense da Costa Ceará State University, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2118-3953
Geórgia de Mendonça Nunes Leonardo Ceará State University, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3702-7277
Luiz Gonzaga Porto Pinheiro Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7756-6630
Cícera Chaves Lôbo Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8605-4434
Sara Maria Moreira Lima Verde Ceará State University, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7733-0214

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5020/18061230.2025.16907

Keywords:

Obesity, Breast Cancer, Mortality

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the temporal trend and association between overweight and female breast cancer mortality in Brazil. Methods: This ecological time-series study investigated overweight data from the Surveillance of Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey (VIGITEL) and mortality data on malignant breast neoplasms from the Online Mortality Atlas. The analysis period comprised the years 2006 to 2018 and included the 26 state capitals and the Federal District, grouped according to the country's geographic regions. Percentage variation over the study period and biennial percentage changes were calculated using Prais-Winsten regression. Results: Overweight and obesity showed an increasing trend between 2006 and 2018 across all Brazilian regions, with the greatest increases observed in the North (PV = 51.6%; p = 0.001) and Southeast (PV = 97.2%; p = 0.001). At the national level, both excess body weight (PV = 1.34; p = 0.017) and obesity (PV = 2.27; p = 0.041) were positively associated with the increasing trend in breast cancer mortality. Conclusion: The findings indicate that increasing adiposity in Brazil is associated with worsening breast cancer mortality indicators, reinforcing the need for prevention strategies and weight management as public health priorities to mitigate this impact within the Brazilian context.

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Translation

This article is a translation in English of the article: Tendência Temporal Brasileira de Excesso de Peso e Mortalidade por Câncer de Mama (2006-2018)

Author Biographies

Priscilla de Lima Carneiro, Ceará State University, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil

Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition from the University of Fortaleza, a postgraduate degree in Eating Behavior from the Institute for Research, Education and Health Management (IPGS), and a Master’s degree in Nutrition and Health from the Graduate Program in Nutrition and Health (PPGNS) at UECE. Worked as a technical advisor in the Technical Group for Epidemiological Surveillance of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs)/Cancer Registries within the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit for Communicable and NCDs, located at the Epidemiological Surveillance and Health Prevention Coordination Office (COVEP) of the Ceará State Health Department (SESA-CE), focusing on epidemiological surveillance of major NCDs from November 2021 to May 2024.

Ilana Nogueira Bezerra, Ceará State University, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil

Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition from UECE (2006), a Master’s degree in Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology from the Institute of Social Medicine at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, and a PhD in Sciences from the Graduate Program in Clinical and Experimental Pathophysiology at the State University of Rio de Janeiro. Completed doctoral training at the Food Survey Research Group of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Participated in the technical team of the National Dietary Survey (INA) 2008-2009, 2017-2018, and 2024-2025. Currently serves as researcher and Associate Professor in the Undergraduate Nutrition Program, PPGNS, and the Graduate Program in Public Health at UECE.

Italo Wesley Oliveira Aguiar , Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil

Public health nutritionist applying epidemiological methods to research on health and disease in human populations. Holds a PhD in Public Health and a Master’s degree in Public Health, both from the Graduate Program in Public Health (PPGSP) at UFC. Holds specializations in Health Informatics from the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) and Educational Informatics from the Federal Institute of Maranhão (IFMA). Also specializes in Nutrition and Physical Exercise from UECE. Earned a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition from UECE. Member of the Study Group on Social Inequalities and Health (GEDESSA). Research interests include Epidemiology, Public Health, and Food and Nutrition Security.

Fernando Natalense da Costa , Ceará State University, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil

Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition from UECE (2022). Currently pursuing a Master’s degree through PPGNS. Research interests include breast cancer, health surveys, body composition, and NCDs.

Geórgia de Mendonça Nunes Leonardo, Ceará State University, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil

Holds Bachelor’s degrees in Nutrition (2006) and English Language Studies (2019) from UECE. Earned a Master’s degree in Nutrition and Health from UECE (2018). Completed residency-equivalent specialization training in Family Health through the Family Health Training School Visconde de Sabóia / State University Vale do Acaraú (2010). Holds a specialization in Results-Based Management from the Ceará School of Public Health (ESP/CE) (2019). Currently serves as faculty at Centro Universitário Uninta - Itapipoca Campus and works as member of the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, Pedagogical Coordinator, ENADE Coordinator, and Undergraduate Thesis Coordinator in the Nutrition Program. Coordinates the Nutrition and Epidemiology Study Group (GENEpi), established in 2022. Also serves as a member of the Research Ethics Committee (REC) of ESP/CE since 2017 and acted as Deputy Coordinator of the REC from 2020 to 2023.

Luiz Gonzaga Porto Pinheiro, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil

Graduated in Medicine from UFC (1975), obtained a Master’s degree in Surgery from the Federal Fluminense University (1985), and a PhD in Surgery from the Federal University of Pernambuco (2000). Currently serves as Full Professor/PROPAP at the UFC School of Medicine (FAMED-UFC) under a 40-hour academic appointment. Coordinates the Elective Discipline in Mastology at FAMED-UFC and the Professor Dr. Saul Goldemberg Experimental Surgery Laboratory within the Graduate Program of the Department of Surgery at FAMED-UFC. Leads the Oncology Education and Research Group (GEEON), registered in the CNPq Research Directory, conducting research focused on biochemical identification of autologous sentinel lymph node blood markers.

Cícera Chaves Lôbo, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil

Graduated in Nursing from UECE in 2006, where she participated in the Tutorial Education Program (PET) from 2002 to 2006. Holds specialization in Cardiovascular Nursing (2007) and a Master’s degree in Clinical Nursing and Health Care (2015), both from UECE. Works as a nurse at Walter Cantídio University Hospital (HUWC), including clinical teaching activities in the undergraduate Nursing program at UFC. Volunteer member of GEEON, member of the Ceará State Cancer Committee (CECAN) of the Ceará State Health Department, the Fortaleza Municipal Breast Cancer Committee, and Rede Mama.

Sara Maria Moreira Lima Verde, Ceará State University, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil

Associate Professor in the Nutrition Program at UECE and permanent faculty member of PPGNS/CCS/UECE. Coordinates the Oncology Nutrition Study, Research and Innovation Group (GENO/CNPq) and the Human Biochemistry Laboratory, developing research focused on the relationship between diet, weight profile, and body composition in patients with cancer. Nutritionist trained at UECE, with specializations in Clinical Nutrition (UECE) and Oncology Nutrition awarded by the Brazilian Society of Oncology Nutrition (SBNO), of which she is also a member. Holds a Master’s degree in Public Health and a PhD in Sciences from the School of Public Health at the University of São Paulo (FSP/USP), emphasizing Nutrition in Public Health. Serves on the editorial board of Nutrition in Clinical Practice and remains engaged in holistic education initiatives, including certification as a Being Therapist through the Institute of Culture for Development and Continuing Education (ICDEP). Also serves as co-founder of Associação TOTUM and member of the ICDEP Ceará board.