Abstract
The objective of this study was to understand why adult women in Brazil desire and attempt to lose weight. In a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews, participants were 25 adult women in southern Brazil aged 19-59 who have tried to lose weight or modify their bodies. Thematic categories emerged: motivations and influences to lose weight, external and internal pressure to lose weight, and influences from the media and the ideal of beauty which point to factors like the media, family, and society step in nutritional education of Brazilian women. These factors influence decisions related to weight loss and pursuit of a beautiful body; this cult of thinness influences women to lose weight and makes physical appearance an essential dimension of the female identity. Programs are also needed that regulate the media in its use of models involving standards of beauty which are followed and copied by the general population.
Highlights
The objective of this study was to understand why adult women in Brazil desire and attempt to lose weight
Emergiram categorias: motivações e influências para perder peso, pressão interna e externa para perder peso e influências da mídia e do ideal de beleza, que apontam para fatores como mídia, família e sociedade influenciando na educação nutricional das mulheres brasileiras
To evaluate why adult women in Brazil desire to lose weight, we considered appropriate to conduct a qualitative research, and to collect data through face-to-face interviews and content analysis, as detailed in the following discussion
Summary
The objective of this study was to understand why adult women in Brazil desire and attempt to lose weight. Thematic categories emerged: motivations and influences to lose weight, external and internal pressure to lose weight, and influences from the media and the ideal of beauty which point to factors like the media, family, and society step in nutritional education of Brazilian women. These factors influence decisions related to weight loss and pursuit of a beautiful body; this cult of thinness influences women to lose weight and makes physical appearance an essential dimension of the female identity. Brazil has the third-largest consumer market for beauty and aesthetics products and equipment, behind only the United States and China; the passion for aesthetics and personal care, especially among women, helped expand this sector in the country (Exame, 2018)
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