OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the behavior of the sensation of hunger of the subjects before, during and after the intervention of acupuncture. METHODS: A descriptive exploratory study. Data collection occurred in a university hospital in Maringá - PR, between July and October 2009, with 37 obese workers, who received eight weekly sessions of acupuncture. For measuring appetite, we used visual analogue scales. RESULTS: It was demonstrated that the behavior of appetite in relation to satiety, fullness, desire for sweet and palatable food changed during the intervention. There was no reduction in weight or body mass index of subjects, however there was significant reduction in waist-hip ratio (p = 0.02) and control of the habit of using comfort food. CONCLUSION: The study findings contribute to the formation of the body of knowledge of acupuncture directed toward workers' health, especially in aspects related to obesity, its comorbidities, and trigger factors.
Acupuncture; Apetite; Obesity; Occupational health; Nursing
