Obesidade e estigma : a formação Teiker entre profissionais de saúde da atenção básica na Paraíba

Abstract

Obesity is considered a major public health issue. Given this reality, it is essential to understand the various dimensions involved in this condition, which is an integral part of the daily routine of Primary Care within the Unified Health System (AB-SUS). The objective of this study was to analyze, among healthcare professionals working in primary care in Paraíba, the effects of training related to obesity and the stigma present in care practices. This research corresponds to a qualitative, descriptive, exploratory, cross-sectional study. The population of this study consisted of healthcare professionals working in AB-SUS in municipalities within Paraíba. Following the inclusion criteria, n=24 professionals, both technical and with higher education, participated in the study. The empirical material was produced through interviews based on a semi-structured script. Data collection occurred between July and November 2022. The content that emerged from the discussions was transcribed and analyzed using the Content Analysis methodology proposed by Bardin. After analysis, two thematic classes were defined: I. obesity stigma - (trans)formation and challenges in healthcare; II. the two sides of the coin of weight stigma. These classes reflect common elements in the interviews: how the training helped shift weight prejudice by broadening the understanding of stigma; furthermore, it made it possible to recognize stigmatizing practices within the teams, identify challenges in obesity care, and the negative impacts on health. The stigma surrounding obesity remains an imminent issue in healthcare relationships. Participants pointed out that the Teiker training helped to (trans)form their perspectives, as it assisted in mitigating existing weight stigma and promoted comprehensive care for obesity and for users dealing with this condition.