The heart disease has been the leading cause of death worldwide for the past 20 years. Deaths from diabetes increased by 70% globally between 2000 and 2019 (WHO, 2020).
The World Health Organization states that obesity is one of the most serious health problems to face; and it is estimated that by 2025 there will be 700 million individuals with obesity. According to the Brazilian Association for the Study of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome, in Brazil obesity has increased by 72% in the last thirteen years, from 11.8% in 2006 to 20.3% in 2019. According to the National Health Survey (PNS, 2020) 25.9% of the population is obese, reaching 41.2 million adults.
The development of these chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is related to the high consumption of fast food, red meat and low-cost dairy products associated with a more sedentary lifestyle, as verified globally (Braithwaite et al . 2014; Forouhi et al., 2018; Inyang & Okey-Orji, 2015; Lavie et al., 2019; Murray, 2001; Willis, 2020).
Aquatic food is a healthier alternative to processed red meat and fast foods in the fight against obesity, heart disease and associated ailments (Bennett et al., 2018; Bogard et al. 2015; Mohan Dey et al. 2005; Sargent & Tacon, 1999; Thilsted et al. 2014; Verbeke et al. 2005; Zhong et al. 2020), plant or animal origin, having a higher protein content on an edible weight basis than most terrestrial meats, a lower caloric density and generally being much leaner than red and processed meats, the highest content of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids than any other animal foodstuff, and generally having a higher mineral and vitamin content than most terrestrial meats and processed meat products (Tacon & Metian, 2013; USDA, 2018).