Características socioeconômicas e culturais de familiares de adolescentes obesos

This descriptive study, qualitative/quantitative aimed to identify the socioeconomic and cultural characteristics of families of obese adolescents. A total of 21 relatives of obese adolescents participated in the study. These obese adolescents were in treatment at the overweight and obesity ambulatory. An adaptation of the Socioeconomic and Ethnic-Cultural Questionnaire proposed by Lasaitis. The questionnaire was answered by the participants individually in a private and quiet room and addressed issues relating to socio-demographic data, consumer goods, cultural profile and dietary profile. A field diary was used from the observations made during the weekly meetings at the clinic. The notes were related to: the families of the reports regarding the difficulty of consuming healthy foods because of the added value of these foods, the difficulties in provide cultural and physical activity activities. Through these observations it was possible to sustain and give consistency to the understanding of the analysis. Data collected were analysed in a descriptive manner, using frequency and percentage. In regard to the characterization of the group, it was observed that 62% of the participants were maried, 72% reported to live in a urban zone and 52% had incomplete elementary school. Concerning the income, 67% classified themselves in the middle class. As for consumer goods, it was observed that 100% of participants have a television. As regards to food habit, it was observed that starches/carbohydrates are the most consumed foods, and all members of the family have a habit of getting an extra serving of food. Finally, it is understood that obesity is not solely related to economic classes with greater purchasing power. Another issue relates to food intake, which it is ultimately understood as a representation of social status among the groups of adolescents. With regard to cultural activities, there is evidence that the time the adolescents spend in front of the television is very expressive, which increases immobility and reinforces patterns of physical inactivity, resulting in an unhealthy lifestyle and increasing even more the conditions favorable for the development of obesity.