Impactos das orientações de estilo de vida saudável para os pacientes obesos com diabetes e hipertensão na APS.

Abstract

The number of people with chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Brazil has been growing in recent years, and is considered a public health problem.

Among them is obesity, a multifactorial disease that is both a cause and a consequence of other NCDs. It is relevant to associate obesity with mental health, since bodies outside the socially acceptable standard are highly discriminated against both outside and within healthcare environments, due to the social stigmas surrounding the topic.

OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to understand how health guidelines on healthy lifestyles provided by healthcare professionals in primary healthcare impact the emotional state of patients with obesity.

METHODOLOGY: This is a qualitative research study that used semi-structured interviews as the data collection method. The sample was collected between March and April 2025 in a city in the microregion of Curimataú, Paraíba, within the scope of the Basic Health Units and included 9 users of Primary Health Care in the municipality who had obesity associated with Systemic Arterial Hypertension and/or Diabetes Mellitus. A semi-structured interview guide was used as a data collection instrument. The data analysis was performed using the IRAMUTEQ software based on Descending Hierarchical Classification and Bardin's analysis. The project was approved under protocol number 84420024.0.0000.0154. RESULTS and DISCUSSIONS: It was possible to perceive a prevalence of women and elderly people among the interviewees, most of whom received a diagnosis of obesity between 5 and 10 years ago. The classes generated by the software, after Bardin's analysis, resulted in three categories: "Little action generates little impact", "Feelings and emotions regarding nutritional status" and "Cultural impact of the biomedical model on guidelines on Healthy Lifestyle". Based on the reports, it was possible to perceive the participants' correct knowledge regarding healthy habits, however, this knowledge was mostly acquired empirically, through family members and little through health professionals. CONCLUSION: The lack of obesity diagnosis for some patients was observed, demonstrating a gap in communication between professional and patient and a lack of approach to the subject. It was also possible to identify negative feelings among the interviewees regarding their own health status and the interference of stigmas in the search for professional care. The research participants reported not perceiving a discriminatory tone in the professionals' speeches, but this perception may be a consequence of the impact of the traditional biomedical model. These factors constitute barriers to the prevention and adherence to treatment of obesity and associated non-communicable chronic diseases.