Mães pré-bariátrica e a saúde de seus filhos: o efeito da educação para hábitos saudáveis

Abstract

Obesity is characterized by the abnormal or excessive accumulation of body fat, posing health risks and being recognized as a chronic disease with epidemic proportions worldwide. With a strong familial and intergenerational component, it is observed that overweight children often have at least one parent with the same condition. Thus, the parental model is a predictor of childhood obesity, influenced by both genetic and behavioral factors, particularly regarding eating habits and lifestyle. While bariatric surgery and lifestyle changes are effective individual strategies for adults, preventing childhood obesity requires innovative family-based interventions, especially through educational actions directed at mothers, which may represent a valuable opportunity for change. This study aimed to analyze the anthropometric characteristics, eating habits, and lifestyle of children and adolescents whose mothers were undergoing clinical treatment for obesity prior to bariatric surgery, comparing data collected before and after a maternal educational intervention. Additionally, the study evaluated the influence of maternal behavior on their children's eating habits and the mothers' perception of their children's nutritional status. This was an observational, longitudinal, and quantitative study including children and adolescents aged 2 to under 18 years and their mothers, who were receiving clinical treatment and participating in group educational activities on obesity. Data on weight, height, dietary practices, and routine were collected at two points: at the beginning of the intervention and six months after the mothers received guidance on healthy eating and lifestyle habits. The results revealed a significant correlation between maternal and child BMI (p=0.016), indicating that higher maternal BMI is associated with higher BMI in their children. No significant changes were observed in the children’s anthropometric indices during the study period, suggesting that the duration of the intervention was insufficient to influence these parameters. Regarding maternal feeding behavior towards children under 12, there was an increase in restrictive feeding aimed at health promotion and a reduction in emotional regulation and pressure to eat. It is concluded that, although the intervention through clinical obesity treatment promoted adjustments in maternal feeding practices, its short duration was not sufficient to significantly impact the nutritional status of children and adolescents. These findings reinforce the need for broader and longer-lasting strategies, preferably with an interdisciplinary approach and expanded family involvement, to effectively break the intergenerational cycle of obesity. The persistence of the association between maternal and child BMI after the intervention suggests that preventive programs should start early and be maintained over longer periods.