“... Essa coisa começou a pegar!” – vivências cotidianas de homens obesos

Abstract

Objective: To understand the everyday life of men with morbid obesity. Methods: Qualitative research. Interviews were carried out with nine men diagnosed with morbid obesity in the preoperative period for bariatric surgery. They were 27-50 years old, married, had a household income of two/three minimum wages, history of obesity in the family and hypertension as a comorbidity. The research was conducted from May to September 2012 in a reference hospital for the treatment of obesity and bariatric surgery in Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil. Semi-structured interviews were carried out and data underwent Content Analysis and thematic analysis. The categories for analysis were: becoming obese; everyday life of obese man and bariatric surgery - a possible path to a healthy everyday life. Results: The main findings are related to a fixed daily routine, with reduced space for physical activity and leisure. Obesity is present since childhood in 90% of the respondents, and it has brought difficulties in performing daily activities. These men chose the surgery because they have not been able to lose weight with diet, exercise and medicines, because of continuing health problems as well as difficulties in personal relationships and at work. Conclusion: It was identified a demand for a reorganization of the everyday life of men so that there is an effective action of the bariatric surgery to provide users with an opportunity to be protagonists of this change by including healthy and ongoing activities in their everyday life.