Abstract
To explore type 2 diabetes women's thoughts, feelings and behaviors concerning diet. A descriptive, exploratory qualitative study was carried out among eight type 2 diabetes women from a primary health care unit in Southeastern Brazil in January 2003. A semi-structured interview was applied for data collection. The theoretical reference was the theory of social representations. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and then their thematic content was analyzed. The study results showed women's difficulty in following the prescribed diet due to several associated meanings, such as loss of eating and drinking pleasure and loss of eating autonomy and free choice. Following the diet elicits an extremely aversive and restrictive attitude, and complying with it is associated to damage to health. The frequent absence of symptoms was mentioned as one reason that prevents compliance to the diet. Other difficulties reported were touching, looking at, and handling foods during their preparation but not being allowed to eat them. Sweet foods revealed to be extremely desired. Transgression and food desire are equally present in their life. Following the recommended diet brings sadness and the act of eating is frequently accompanied by fear, guilt and anger. Type 2 diabetes women's eating behavior is very complex and needs to be understood from its psychological, biological, social, cultural and economic aspects for promoting more effective educational interventions.
Highlights
The study results showed women’s difficulty in following the prescribed
Following the diet elicits an extremely aversive and restrictive attitude, and complying with it is associated to damage to health
The frequent absence of symptoms was mentioned as one reason that prevents compliance to the diet
Summary
OBJETIVO: Conhecer os pensamentos, sentimentos e comportamentos em relação à dieta de mulheres portadoras de diabetes tipo 2. Foram entrevistadas oito mulheres portadoras de diabetes tipo 2 em uma Unidade Básica de Saúde do município de Ribeirão Preto, SP, em janeiro de 2003. RESULTADOS: Os resultados evidenciaram dificuldade no seguimento da dieta prescrita, em função dos diversos significados associados, tais como a perda do prazer de comer e beber, da autonomia e da liberdade para se alimentar. Seguir a dieta adquire caráter extremamente aversivo e cerceador, tendo representação de que realizá-la traz prejuízos à saúde.A freqüente ausência de sintomas foi citada como um dos aspectos que dificultam o seguimento da dieta. CONCLUSÕES: O comportamento alimentar da mulher portadora de diabetes tipo 2 é bastante complexo e precisa ser compreendido à luz dos aspectos psicológicos, biológicos, sociais, culturais, psicológicos e econômicos para maior eficácia das intervenções educativas.
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