Profile and perceptions of morbid obese Ceará men about obese life

Abstract

Morbid obesity experience is this study central theme which aims to trace morbidly obese men from Ceará State profile and perceptions over obese life and its nuances, supported by Metabolic Syndrome Obesity Study Brazilian Association (ABESO) and Merleau-Ponty Perception Phenomenology (2011). Qualitative study with phenomenological lens, developed in an obesity reference hospital of Fortaleza - Ceará, with seventeen morbidly obese men. Selection criteria was having Body Mass Index (BMI) >30kg/m² with comorbidities, or >40kg/m² without comorbidities, and exclusion criteria was temporal disorientation when signing the Informed Consent Term (ICT). Data collection used as a research protocol Depth Phenomenological Interview, while data treatment and analysis were made from Merleau-Ponty Perception Phenomenology Theory perspective, respecting Resolution 466/2012. Results indicate four categories that indicate morbid obesity impacts on men’s inter and intrapersonal relations. Juvenilization and recurrence of obesity, necessity to foster health promotion actions, rights equality and overcoming morbidly obese man invisibility are denoted.