Os impactos da alimentação low carb em pacientes com obesidade e sobrepeso na atenção primária à saúde

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is one of the biggest epidemics of the 21st century. It is associated with many comorbidities, including cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). Because of the dimension of the problem, several weight loss strategies are used, such as the Low Carb diet. Objective: Identify the impact of Low Carb Diet on obese and overweight patients treated at a Basic Health Unit in Ananindeua (PA). Methodology: The study is an interventional action-research type, where there was intervention, through a quantitative approach on Low carb diet in obese and overweight patients. The study took place at the Basic Health Unit (UBS) Júlia Seffer in Ananindeua (PA), lasted 2 months, and included an anthropometric data questionnaire (weight, height, BMI and AC) with complementary exams performed at the beginning and at the end of the research to compare the impact of diet on the lipid profile and fasting blood glucose of patients. Results: The study included 29 patients, of which 25 had a mean age of 45.8 ± 9.8 years (95%CI 41.8 – 49.9) and 12.0% (3/25) were elderly; most participants were women (96.6%, 28/29; p<0.0001). For 12 participants, there was a statistically significant difference only in relation to AC (Arm Circumference) when comparing the first measurements with in the last two (p=0.0168). About the laboratory variables, no significant differences were observed in comparisons for any of the considered markers. Numerical change was observed in the overall proportion of cases classified as overweight/pre-obesity and Obesity Grade 3. A strong positive correlation was found between waist circumference and weight during the research. Conclusion: As we have seen the Low carb diet is a viable and possible option to be performed in primary care, but there is a need for further studies to analyze its impact on the health of the population, patient adherence and the acceptance of doctors as a non-pharmacological indication to treat diabetes and help reduce the obesity epidemic.