[Socioeconomic, anthropometric and food intake characterization of severely obese people]

The purpose of this study is to characterize morbid obese patients treated at bariatric surgery clinics in Fortaleza, Ceará State, Brazil, analyzed by socioeconomic, anthropometric and food intake aspects. Based on an exploratory, transversal and analytical design, this survey interviewed fifty patients being treated at one private and two public bariatric surgery clinics; 74% were female and 26% male. Their average age was 35 +/- 8.6 years old, with an average family income of 9.32 +/- 14.14 minimum wages; with an average family income of 4.69 +/- 3.78 minimum wages for the group treated at public clinics, and an 15.18 +/- 12.63 minimum wages for the obese patients seen at the private clinic; at least 70% of the participants held high school diplomas. The average Body Mass Index (BMI) was 47.5 +/- 7.2 Kg/m2;, with their food intake standard characterized largely by the consumption of high-energy, high-fat, low carbohydrate items, high in cholesterol and dietary staple fibers. It is concluded that the patients have a food intake standard that offers the risk of worsening their weight situation, requiring more intensive educational actions in preparation for bariatric surgery.