Guidelines and Preliminary Results of Group-Based Nutrition Interventions for Obesity Management Among Adults in Brazilian Primary Health Care

This study presents the guideline and preliminary results of a randomized controlled community trial of group-based nutrition interventions for obesity management in Brazilian Primary Health Care (PHC), occurring between 2022 and 2023. Belo Horizonte PHC units were randomly sampled and allocated to the control (CG) or intervention group (IG). Participants were those in preparation with high self-efficacy, action, or maintenance stages of change for weight reduction who were willing to participate in groups. CG participants received usual care, while IG participants were allocated into two therapeutic groups (TGs): non-severe (TG1) or severe obesity (TG2). We analyzed demographics data, stages of change and self-efficacy for weight reduction, and intervention adherence. The six-month theory-based interventions included face-to-face groups (TG1:7; TG2:9) and phone messages and postcards delivered (TG1:4; TG2:5). There were 1120 participants. Most were women, with a median age of 61.4 years; 45.4% were in the maintenance stage of change for weight reduction, and 76.1% had high self-efficacy. A total of 350 groups were held, 13,473 phone calls made, and 1973 postcards delivered. The median adherence was 52.4%. The reach and adherence to groups demonstrate their viability and scalable potential for the treatment of obesity in Brazilian PHC, contributing to the strengthening of chronic disease management actions.