[Evaluation of the effectiveness of a change of habits with group nutritional intervention].

Inadequate dietary standards, physical inactivity, smoking and alcohol consumption represent a composite of risk factors for non-communicable diseases and disorders. Encouraging healthy eating habits is a fundamental strategy to tackle current eating and nutritional problems. The scope of this research was to evaluate if the participation of individuals in group nutritional intervention was capable of modifying their eating habits. The research was conducted at a public health center in Porto Alegre in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. It involved an experimental study using qualitative and quantitative research, in which group participants were evaluated before and after the nutritional intervention. The final sample included 10 participants comprised of men and women aged 48 on average. Most of them had completed high school, earned an average family income of 2.5 minimum wages and were overweight. The results proved that the objective of the study was successful, since the group manifested an improvement in eating habits and consequent weight loss. The conclusion is that group intervention with emphasis on eating habits and nutrition is effective and its implementation is recommended in the routine of the services of the Brazilian Unified Health System.