Multiprofessional treatment program of the obesity: the challenges of the practice - DOI: 10.4025/cienccuidsaude.v7i0.6582

Abstract

The increase in the prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents represents a complex challenge for families and society at large, because once manifested, this condition can lead to several comorbidities and significantly affect the quality of life of those involved. As a result, the Maringá Obesity Association (AOM) in cooperation with the Physical Education department at the State University of Maringá have been developing for almost 2 years a program named “Living Healthy”, which assists youngsters between 11 and 17 years old. The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of the program and its participants, comparing it to others similar programs. The program has the duration of 16 weeks per semester. Up to the first semester of 2007, 40 teenagers had been assisted, of which 29 finished the program. The drop-out rate is comparable to other studies, and represents an issue to be dealt in these programs. Another aspect in common with many other analyzed programs has to do with actual weight reduction, which has usually been unsatisfactory. Nonetheless, there have been evident improvements in the physical aptitude of participants.