Nutritional and food education as a complementary treatment approach in severe obese individuals

Abstract

Background: The treatment for obesity, specifically severe obesity, is a challenge for health professionals and services. It requires a multidisciplinary and holistic approach covering the complexity and difficulties of incorporating healthy habits to prevent associated diseases and mortality. Individual intervention's methods are not enough to change eating habits. Objective: To describe and investigate the contribution of nutritional and food education as a complementary therapeutic approach in the treatment of individuals with severe obesity and their family members. Methods: A multidisciplinary team adopted a group approach. A different topic was addressed at each therapeutic meeting to assist in the nutritional treatment of obesity, such as diet and healthy habits i.e. barriers to lifestyle changes. The topics were developed based on different methodological and teaching approaches to facilitate adherence to non-drug treatment. Results: Overall, there was a greater understanding towards the adoption of healthy eating habits of the whole family, greater motivation to adhere to dietary changes and adoption of a more physical active lifestyle. This interventional educational support methodology had been accepted in such a positive way for patients and their relatives. Family member participation expands the possibilities of establishing necessary and lasting changes in the lifestyle of not only the patients, but their whole families. Conclusion: Health education actions constitute an important complementary therapeutic approach in promoting health and preventing complications in individuals with severe obesity. This article can be useful to enlarge the debate on the subject and face the challenges related to the effective treatment of obesity, notably severe obesity.

Análise Da Perda De Peso Em Pacientes Submetidos a Cirurgia Bariátrica: Revisão Sistemática De Literatura

“…Tratar a obesidade requer uma abordagem complexa e multifacetada, que visa promover a perda de peso sustentável, melhorar a saúde metabólica e reduzir os riscos associados a essa condição. Existem três principais métodos de tratamento amplamente utilizados: dieta, exercícios físicos e, em alguns casos, medicamentos específicos (Lee, 2023;Silveira et al, 2023).…”

“…O suporte contínuo é fundamental para o sucesso a longo prazo na perda de peso e na manutenção de um estilo de vida saudável. Ao combinar dieta equilibrada, exercícios físicos adequados e, quando necessário, medicamentos apropriados, é possível alcançar resultados positivos no tratamento da obesidade e no cuidado com a saúde geral do paciente (Kaur et al, 2022;Lima et al, 2020;Silveira et al, 2023).…”

“…O sucesso a longo prazo depende da adoção de hábitos alimentares saudáveis, da prática regular de atividade física e do acompanhamento médico contínuo. A cirurgia bariátrica é uma ferramenta poderosa, mas o comprometimento do paciente com a mudança de estilo de vida é essencial para obter os melhores resultados e manter os benefícios ao longo do tempo (Sierżantowicz;Ładny;Lewko, 2022;Silveira et al, 2023).…”