Obese children and adolescents: parents' experiences and perceptions/ CRIANCA E ADOLESCENTE COM OBESIDADE: VIVENCIAS E PERCEPCAO DOS PAIS

Introduction: Obesity, currently considered an important public health problem, stems from multiple factors, and both prevention and intervention actions are extremely complex. Objective: The present investigation aims to analyze the perception of parents or guardians of children and adolescents in relation to obesity and how they experience care. Materials and Methods: Qualitative study based on 30 interviews with parents or guardians of obese children and adolescents, who attend a Child Obesity Care Center in a medium-sized city in the interior of Sao Paulo. The analysis was performed using the thematic analysis technique. Data collection took place from August to December 2020. Results and discussion: Most children and adolescents are aged between 5 and 10 years and are severely obese. Most study participants were mothers. In the analysis, the following themes were identified: difficulties in dealing with food; the feelings of mothers/guardians; child or adolescent problems related to obesity; attempts to change habits; and effects of the pandemic. The degree of obesity of children and adolescents found in the present study suggests that the search for help occurs in extreme cases. Conclusions: Parents or guardians are able to understand the risks and consequences of obesity; however, they face great difficulties in implementing care. The experiences with childhood obesity are full of suffering, both for parents or guardians and for children. Key words: Pediatric obesity. Child care. Health education. Public health. Introducao: A obesidade, considerada atualmente como um importante problema de saude publica, decorre de multiplos fatores, e as acoes tanto de prevencao como de intervencoes sao de extrema complexidade. Objetivo: A presente investigacao tem como objetivo analisar a percepcao dos pais ou responsaveis de criancas e adolescentes, em relacao a obesidade e como vivenciam o cuidado. Materiais e Metodos: Estudo qualitativo a partir de 30 entrevistas com pais ou responsaveis de criancas e adolescentes portadores de obesidade, que frequentam um Centro de Atendimento de Obesidade Infantil de uma cidade de medio porte do interior paulista. A analise foi realizada por meio da tecnica de analise tematica. A coleta de dados ocorreu no periodo de agosto a dezembro de 2020. Resultados e discussao: A maioria das criancas e adolescentes encontra-se na faixa etaria de 5 a 10 anos e e portadora de obesidade grave. A maioria dos participantes do estudo foram as