Motivational aspects of dropout obesity treatment

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To identify the reasons that led to quitting obesity treatment. METHOD: Descriptive research with quantitative approach conducted in a reference service at monitoring overweight people in the city of Salvador-BA. The population consisted of 62 people who stopped attending for over two years the multidisciplinary program. Data collection was developed by analyzing the medical records and interviewing by telephone. RESULTS: Predominance of women (90.3%), with an average age of 47.9 years, brown skinned (46.8%), income lower than 3 minimum wages (64.7%) and education degree only up to high school (75.8%). After leaving the program 87.1% of them were not being assisted by any other health service for overweight treatment. The most commum reasons for quitting were personal - such as lack of time (24.2%) and problems inherent to work (38.7%) - and related to the service - such as timetables (24.2%), trobles to schedule feedbacks (24.2%) and delays on the service (16.1%). CONCLUSION: The abandonment of obesity treatment is complex and caused by multiple factors, related to personal reasons, structure and organization of professional team and healthcare services.