Autoavaliação da qualidade da alimentação e fatores associados à sua mudança entre participantes de grupos operativos para perda de peso

Abstract

The operative groups are important intervention strategy in combating overweight and self-assessment of food quality can be used in this process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of changes in the self-assessment of the quality of food and the factors associated with its improvement among participants in operative groups for weight loss and healthy eating. At the beginning and at the end of the groups, the sociodemographic, health, lifestyle and self-assessment of food quality characteristics were assessed using questionnaires, as well as the participants' weight, waist circumference and body mass index. Paired t-test and Pearson's chi-square test were performed to assess changes before and after participation in the groups. Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney test and Pearson's chi-square test were used to compare changes according to the occurrence of improvement in self-rated food quality. After participation in the groups, there was a significant reduction in weight (p = 0.0004), BMI (p = 0.0097), WC (p = 0.02) and the proportion of overweight (p = 0.005). There was an increase in the consumption of vegetables (p = 0.0430) and salt (p = 0.0316). The self-assessment of the quality of the food showed improvement after the participation in the groups, related to the increase in the consumption of cereals, roots and tubers (p = 0.0316) and dairy products (p = 0294) as well as the reduction in the consumption of salt (p = 0.0295). Self- assessment of the quality of food is adequate in detecting changes in educational activities to improve food.