Analysis of Nutritional Therapy Adhesion Recommended To Patients Attended At The Nutrition Integrated Clinic of A Private Faculty In Vitória- ES, Brazil

Abstract

Healthy food is an important asset for the treatment and prevention of pathologies. However, treatment basically depends on behavior changes and adhesion to feeding schemes adequate for the patient´s individual needs. Current research analyzes the adhesion of therapeutic nutrition recommended to patients of the Nutrition Integrated Clinic of the Catholic Salesian Faculty of Espirito Santo (CIASC) in Vitória ES Brazil. Further, 1990 clinical charts of patients attended to between 2003 and 2012 were evaluated, 73 of which were selected due to the inclusion criteria adopted in current study. Anthropometric parameters, reasons for medical attendance, biochemical exams, prescription of total calories and difficulties to continue the proposed nutritional treatment and other data in the patients´ clinical sheets were evaluated. Data were presented by absolute and relative frequency and compared by paired t test for BMI and by ANOVA followed by post hoc test to compare energy levels at a significant probability level of p<0.05. Patients studied were predominantly females (75.3%) and the main motive for attendance was the need for body slimming procedures (79%). Improvement in biochemical parameters and a mean weight loss and a significantly positive BMI decrease were perceived in 78% of patients (p<0.05). Results show that nutritional treatment was a relevant tool for the aims expected by most patients. In fact, positive changes in patients´ weight, BMI distribution and biochemical profile were registered. A reevaluation of nutritional attendance by Nutrition trainees is recommended for a much better success in the treatment.