Educational nutritional strategies in the groups that participate of the “Well with the balance” project from four different basic health units in the city of Muriaé-MG

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of obesity and search for healthy life habits of the population spurred the creation of projects to help with health promotion and disease prevention. This study aimedevaluate the efficacy of a nutritional intervention on food habits and changes in anthropometric profile in participants of the group "Well with the balance" as measured in four basic health units in the city of Muriaé-MG. 70 overweight or obese participants were evaluated. Two questionnaires were completed, before and after the intervention, describing food habits, presence of pathology, and lifetime habits and monitoring and documenting anthropometric measurements (weight,height and waist circumference). It was observed that the nutritional intervention was able to promote favorable changes in eating habits. There was an increase in the frequency of consumption of fruits, vegetables, beans and milk, and reduction of consumption of sweets and fried foods, and also increase in water consumption. In relation to anthropometric measurements, there was no significant improvement, but there was a reduction in the prevalence of obesity and reduction in individuals with abdominal obesity. It is concluded that dietary education in these groups was important and should be continued in order to promote health and disease prevention.