USE OF MEDICINES FOR WEIGHT LOSS IN YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS IN GYMS

Abstract

Obesity is a chronic disease very recurrent in society, it is considered a worldwide epidemic and given this scenario, many people in search of treating this condition, seek to use drugs that favor this slimming. The objective of the study was to observe the frequency of use of drugs to lose weight in young people and adults in gyms. An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted based on data collection of individuals between 18 and 64 years old, members of gyms in the city of Juiz de Fora who agreed and signed the Informed Consent Form (TCLE)as recommended by the Resolution of the National Health Council (CNS) 466/12. Data were collected through a survey conducted from a questionnaire composed of 20 questions related to health, food and medication use. 356 individuals between 18 and 65 years of age were evaluated, of which 49% were female, 80.35% were single or divorced whose median family income was 5 minimum wages. Regarding nutritional status, the BMI of the sample was 24.4 2.6 kg/m2, in addition, 31.2% were on medical follow-up, 33.99% were on diet and 12.36% used weight loss medication, Sibutramine (36.36%) and Orlistate (18.18%) were the most cited. It was observed that the BMI among the participants of this study and the literature (21.75 3.68 kg/m2) were close, in addition, the relationship between the use of medication for aesthetic reasons and the female sex was observed. Even knowing the side effects, most studies point to self-medication, including this work. However, when prescribed by a specialized professional, the drug antiobesity may decrease the risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it is noticed that the female and young population is the one that uses more drugs to lose weight, even if the BMI is within the range of normality due to the social pressure for the achievement of the "standard of beauty", causing this use self-medication by friends and/or relatives.