Abstract
Objective: This article addresses the factors implicated in the genesis of obesity, its repercussions and presents strategies for coping with it, in addition to listing the possible impacts of social distancing indicated for the COVID-19 pandemic on the obesity epidemic among children and teenagers. Literature review: Brazil went through a rapid nutritional transition that culminated in a percentage decrease in malnutrition and obesity emergence as a serious public health problem. The characteristics of its distribution and its progressive prevalence allows us to characterize obesity as a global epidemic. Among the strategies to face the desease in the younger population, we can mention the encouragement of physical activities, a balanced diet, and limiting the time of exposure to electronic devices. Social distancing leads to difficulties in carrying out coping strategies and encourages practices that can trigger or aggravate excess weight, being potentially a complicator fot the obesity epidemic which its real impacts will be known later. Final considerations: Changes in life habits including activity restriction and changes in dietary dynamics associated with increased daily use of electronics, contribute to a positive energy balance and, consequently, to a greater possibility of the emergence or aggravation of overweight and obesity in children and teenagers.