Exploratory qualitative research with critical hermeneutic-phenomenological approach, seeking to understand the experiences and perceptions about obesity among users of a Family Health Center. The strategy adopted was a link between the in-depth interviews and observation with a purposive sample consisted of eight obese women attending a Family Health Centre located in Fortaleza, Ceará (Brazil). The categorization of empirical data indicated four thematic areas of analysis: 1) Self-perception of body, 2) Ethno-etiology of obesity, 3) Stigma and its impact on different domains of life, 4) Track the paths of Healing. Although aware of this excessive weight on their bodies, in another terminology, women do not identify themselves as obese. Clinical symptoms and difficulties in developing daily activities as well as the discourse of health professionals were important triggers the perception of obesity. On these women, the stigma of obesity weighs heavily, bringing repercussions on their daily lives, influencing social relationships, family and work. The participants consider obesity a disease amenable to cure, and are strongly influenced by their own actions. The concept of healing for the interviewee does not seem to be linked to achieving a lean body, thus, aimed at reducing drug use and the ability to perform daily activities. To monitor this group in primary care, it is necessary to add the aspect biomedical perspective of those who experiment obesity.
Qualitative research; women; obesity; stigma