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Rafael Guimaraes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to the National Survey on Food Insecurity in the Context of the Covid-19 Pandemic in Brazil, more than 58% of the Brazilian population lives with some degree of food insecurity. More than 33 million Brazilians are in a severe food insecurity situation, making Brazil return to the United Nations’ hunger map. Severe food insecurity is directly associated with risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure. According to the World Health Organization, about 75% of deaths in Brazil in 2022 were caused by those diseases. To minimize these risk factors, some studies show that mHealth (Mobile Health) technologies provide functionality for patients and health professionals, enabling the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of chronic diseases. These technologies allow easier weight loss and self-management of chronic conditions. In this context, a qualitative study in the city of Salvador, Bahia, will be conducted with the following aims: (a) to evaluate the use of health apps by dietitians and adult patients with diabetes or hypertension who experience food insecurity and (b) to analyze which components of health apps better support a change in the nutrition behavior of those patients.