Abstract

SANTOS, Andréa Fernanda Lopes dos  and  ARAUJO, José Wellington Gomes. Food practice and diabetes: challenge to surveillance in health. Epidemiol. Serv. Saúde [online]. 2011, vol.20, n.2, pp.255-263. ISSN 1679-4974.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/S1679-49742011000200014.

OBJECTIVE: to characterize the difficulties encountered in changing the eating habits of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated at an outpatient nutrition clinic of high complexity. METHODOLOGY: the sample consisted of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending the outpatient nutrition clinic of the Unified Health System (SUS) in the Municipality of Teresina, State of Piauí, Brazil; the authors adopted the method of qualitative assessment, through semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: it was possible to understand the eating practices in its multidimensionality; these valuations, while not considered by the professionals, complicate the relationship with people who do not adhere satisfactorily to diet therapy plan; cultural and emotional values, and economic limitations, also interfere with treatment adherence. CONCLUSION: the study found a frequent use of traditional medicine in an attempt to cure or improvement. The knowledge of subjective aspects of reality with regionalized focus may contribute to health surveillance, offering support for effective nutritional interventions.

Keywords : diabetes mellitus; vigilance in public health; education in health.

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