Paper Title
Online Weight Loss Education Program Brings Positive Results in Weight Loss and Improvement of Criteria for Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a global disease leading to the death of millions of individuals every year. In Brazil, the last Vigitel survey published in 2021, a survey carried out by the Brazilian Ministry of Health for surveillance of risk and protective factors for chronic diseases, showed a89,4% increase in the incidence of obesity in the national population from 2006 to 2021. Given the current pandemic moment, where a meta-analysis published in the Journal Metabolism Clinical and Experimental demonstrated that obesity increases the risk of morbidity and mortality in patients with COVID-19 and according to VICENZO, A.D. the pro-inflammatory secretion caused by adipose tissue is responsible for this relationship, it is essential that means of combating obesity are studied and applied. This work aims to analyze the result of the application of an online education program aimed at weight loss. METHODOLOGY: Analysis of 6-month weight loss result in 50 women with a mean age of 54.94 (9.20) who participated in an online group weight loss program between 2020 and 2021, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic period. The program was based on providing guidelines and explanations about the characteristics of foods and how they influence the metabolism of weight loss or gain, the addition of low Glycemic Index foods and in natura foods was stimulated, with no obligation to restrict food and without need calorie counting.The practice of light to moderate physical activity for at least 150 minutes per week was also encouraged. The program consisted of recorded classes and live classes with availability to clarify doubts with a medical professional, psychologistand physical educator, it was baptized with the name “Healthy Without Neurosis” ((in Brazil “Saudável Sem Neura”) so that there was a playful and fun factor for joining the program. This is a descriptive, analytical, retrospective observational study. RESULTS: The mean initial BMI at the beginning of the program was 33.9 (4.77) and increased to 28.9 (4.35) after 6 months. The average weight loss was 8.33 (3.81) kilograms, which represents an average loss of 9.72% (4.34) in relation to the participants' initial weight. At the beginning of the program, 80% of the participants had Brazilian criteria for classifying metabolic syndrome, with central obesity being the most frequent factor, being present in 84% of them. All participants had improvements in markers in at least one of the criteria that characterize the metabolic syndrome. The practice of physical activity concomitantly had an adherence of 86%, walking was the most practiced activity, 80% of all participants did this type of exercise. CONCLUSION: This study showed it is possible to achieve a weight loss result even with online guidance only, a factor that is important for the current reality of a pandemic period where access to information on the internet has been increased. Another important issue is that the program was not based on restrictive strategies, but on education about metabolism, focusing on the addition of foods of good nutritional quality, potentially anti-inflammatory, in the food routine instead of focusing only on food withdrawal or calories restrictions, like most diets. This alternative can contribute to increasing the individual's adherence to a food plan with the objective of losing weight and presenting sustainable and more physiological results in the long term. Adherence of most participants to the practice of physical activity. Even light as walking was an important point for the increment in the weight loss result.