Healthy living group: lifestyle change analysis of patients with systemic arterial hypertension and type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to promote educational actions and to define the Individual Lifestyle Profile of a group of hypertensive or diabetic patients. Methods: It is characterized as descriptive-exploratory, by means of action and research, using the Nahas Well-Being Pentacle instrument, with a convenience sample of nine individuals, patients of a Family Health Strategy Unit in Sorocaba, São Paulo, who participated in a group for educational activities, involving dynamics directed to the topics of healthy eating and physical activity practice. Data collection took place in weekly meetings during the months of August and September 2016. Results: The group was predominantly female, aged 43 to 65 years old, with elementary educational level, retirees and patients with systemic arterial hypertension. They were categorized into three groups (satisfactory, moderately satisfactory and unsatisfactory), which are related to the five components of the Pentacle. Among the factors that make adherence to treatment and control of hypertension and diabetes difficult, there is a lack of interest in the participation of educational groups, low instruction and devaluation of the information and activities developed in the group. Conclusion: We verified that the information obtained in the group, the support and the motivation given by professionals were not enough to change the behavior of individuals to have a healthy life.