Psychological life experiences facing chronic diseases for patients with metabolic syndrome and impacts reported about health promotion in the Southeast Brazil: A clinical qualitative study

Abstract

IntroductionReceiving and understanding the psychological and sociocultural aspects associated to both health problems and difficulties to make the eating behaviour changes are relevant issues when treating individuals with Metabolic Syndrome.Objective and aimsThe reports given by chronic individuals in the present study allowed for analyzing the subjective expressions related to food, treatment management and patient adherence to self care propositions.MethodsIn-depth semi-directed interviews with open-ended questions, with psychodynamic orientation in the conducting dialogues were performed with nine patients from the endocrinology outpatient service of a public university hospital located in Southeast Brazil. From this broader objective, a selection was made of some experiences reported by the subjects, which were related to the process of managing treatment and eating behaviour, implied in chronic metabolic disorders.ResultsIn this work, elements that mediate the process of developing autonomy in eating habits, living with the illnesses and vulnerability factors experiences by Metabolic Syndrome patients are identified in this study.ConclusionThe interdisciplinary character of the present study promoted the valorisation of the practice of listening to the psychological and cultural meanings of eating behaviours, hence offering contributions regarding the nutritional care of individuals with Metabolic Syndrome.