Qualitative methodological pathway for developing the Instructive for the Obesity Management in the SUS, 2018-2020

To assess the methodological pathway for developing and validating Instructive for the Obesity Management in the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS), focusing on food and nutrition actions, based on the adaptation of the Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population.

The development of the Instructive of Collective Approach for the Obesity Management in the SUS included an evaluation of the proposal summary during an in-person expert workshop, and the analysis of the first draft in an in-person validation workshop. In 2018 and 2019, a dynamic carousel was employed during the workshops to record the perceptions of experts from management, academy, and SUS health services. The materials produced during the workshops underwent exploratory content analysis by two authors independently, using theoretical frameworks and theories as predefined categories. Observed divergences were discussed until consensus was reached.

The first workshop, attended by 21 experts, was essential for the decision to develop a material specifically for collective approaches and for defining the theoretical frameworks and theories to be included in the Instructive. The second workshop, with 17 experts, contributed to resolving conceptual issues, addressing discussions and uncertainties, and consolidating of the care flow. The published version of the Instructive incorporated a problem-posing methodology transversally and the transtheoretical model as the core theoretical framework to enhance treatment effectiveness and adherence.

The development and validation of the Instructive followed a scientific research trajectory, contributing to the creation of instructional materials derived from the Dietary Guidelines.