Multicomponent Nutritional Approach (NutrirCom) and Its Effects on Anthropometric, Metabolic, and Psychoemotional Outcomes in Women with Obesity: A Three-Arm Randomized Clinical Trial

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Obesity is a multifactorial condition and a major public health challenge. Conventional treatment centers on caloric restriction, which is often unsustainable and may cause stigma and psychoemotional harm. This study aimed to describe the methodology and assess the effects of a multicomponent nutritional intervention not focused on caloric restriction on psychoemotional outcomes. Women were selected as the target population because of the higher prevalence of obesity-related psychoemotional distress, body dissatisfaction, and weight-related stigma in this group, as well as their greater vulnerability to the psychosocial impacts of weight-focused interventions. <b>Methods</b>: This randomised, parallel, open-label trial included 89 obese women from primary care in Viçosa, Brazil. The participants were allocated into three groups: Group 1 (Control), which received a personalised hypocaloric diet (from 500 to 1000 kcal/day); Group 2 (NutrirCom (NutrirCom is a multicomponent, person-centred nutritional intervention protocol that is not focused on caloric restriction, conceived by a group of researchers at the Federal University of Viçosa for the care of women with obesity in Primary Health Care. It integrates nutritional, psychoemotional, behavioural, and social strategies, with an emphasis on promoting eating autonomy, mental health, and quality of life through a humanised, integrated, and sustainable approach, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of health care delivery and clinical practice)), which received 10 individual NutrirCom-based sessions; and Group 3 (NutrirCom + Social Support), which combined individual NutrirCom sessions with monthly group meetings for social support. Randomisation was stratified by body mass index via Excel<sup>®</sup> with concealed allocation. The six-month intervention assessed changes in stress, anxiety, depression, and self-compassion, along with anthropometric and metabolic markers. <b>Results</b>: All groups presented reductions in waist circumference, fasting glucose, and total body fat, with increased lean mass. Anxiety remained unchanged in Group 1 but decreased significantly in Groups 2 (<i>p</i> = 0.002) and 3 (<i>p</i> = 0.005). Only Group 2 showed a significant reduction in depression symptoms (<i>p</i> = 0.023). Self-compassion improved significantly in groups 2 and 3. <b>Conclusions</b>: NutrirCom is a low-cost, scalable, and human-centered intervention that integrates emotional, social, and nutritional aspects of care. This approach shows promise as a sustainable strategy for obesity treatment in primary health care. Registration: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC) (no. RBR-87wb8x5).

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Journal
Nutrients
Published
2026-01-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18030414
Primary Topic
Dietary Effects on Health
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article
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article

Multicomponent Nutritional Approach (NutrirCom) and Its Effects on Anthropometric, Metabolic, and Psychoemotional Outcomes in Women with Obesity: A Three-Arm Randomized Clinical Trial

Dayse Mara de Oliveira Freitas, Irene da Silva Araújo Gonçalves, Jéssica Aparecida da Silva, Tiago Ricardo Moreira et al.
Nutrients
Dietary Effects on Health
article

Multicomponent Nutritional Approach (NutrirCom) and Its Effects on Anthropometric, Metabolic, and Psychoemotional Outcomes in Women with Obesity: A Three-Arm Randomized Clinical Trial

Dayse Mara de Oliveira Freitas, Irene da Silva Araújo Gonçalves, Jéssica Aparecida da Silva, Tiago Ricardo Moreira, Nicolly Oliveira Custodio, Leticia Paiva Milagres, Ana Clara Gutierrez Souza Lacerda, Glauce Dias da Costa, Monica de Paula Jorge, Marina Tosatti Aleixo, Danielle Cabrini, Bianca Guimarães de Freitas, Tatiana do Nascimento Campos, Rosangela Minardi Mitre Cotta
article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Obesity is a multifactorial condition and a major public health challenge. Conventional treatment centers on caloric restriction, which is often unsustainable and may cause stigma and psychoemotional harm. This study aimed to describe the methodology and assess the effects of a multicomponent nutritional intervention not focused on caloric restriction on psychoemotional outcomes. Women were selected as the target population because of the higher prevalence of obesity-related psychoemotional distress, body dissatisfaction, and weight-related stigma in this group, as well as their greater vulnerability to the psychosocial impacts of weight-focused interventions. <b>Methods</b>: This randomised, parallel, open-label trial included 89 obese women from primary care in Viçosa, Brazil. The participants were allocated into three groups: Group 1 (Control), which received a personalised hypocaloric diet (from 500 to 1000 kcal/day); Group 2 (NutrirCom (NutrirCom is a multicomponent, person-centred nutritional intervention protocol that is not focused on caloric restriction, conceived by a group of researchers at the Federal University of Viçosa for the care of women with obesity in Primary Health Care. It integrates nutritional, psychoemotional, behavioural, and social strategies, with an emphasis on promoting eating autonomy, mental health, and quality of life through a humanised, integrated, and sustainable approach, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of health care delivery and clinical practice)), which received 10 individual NutrirCom-based sessions; and Group 3 (NutrirCom + Social Support), which combined individual NutrirCom sessions with monthly group meetings for social support. Randomisation was stratified by body mass index via Excel<sup>®</sup> with concealed allocation. The six-month intervention assessed changes in stress, anxiety, depression, and self-compassion, along with anthropometric and metabolic markers. <b>Results</b>: All groups presented reductions in waist circumference, fasting glucose, and total body fat, with increased lean mass. Anxiety remained unchanged in Group 1 but decreased significantly in Groups 2 (<i>p</i> = 0.002) and 3 (<i>p</i> = 0.005). Only Group 2 showed a significant reduction in depression symptoms (<i>p</i> = 0.023). Self-compassion improved significantly in groups 2 and 3. <b>Conclusions</b>: NutrirCom is a low-cost, scalable, and human-centered intervention that integrates emotional, social, and nutritional aspects of care. This approach shows promise as a sustainable strategy for obesity treatment in primary health care. Registration: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC) (no. RBR-87wb8x5).

NutrientsVol. 18(3)
Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (BR), Universidade Federal de Viçosa (BR), D’Or Institute for Research and Education (BR), Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (BR)
Zero hunger
Openalex Percentile: Top 78%
Dietary Effects on Health
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