A Study of the Factors Associated with Initiation and Maintenance of Weight Loss
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Date
2007-09
Authors
LeBlanc, Rebecca J.
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Abstract
Traditional nutrition counselling and commercial weight loss programs that focus
solely on encouraging lifestyle changes to decrease caloric consumption and increase
caloric expenditure without considering other factors such as coping responses and social
support tend to result in initial weight loss success. However, weight regain occurs in the
vast majority of individuals. Few programs consider that program effectiveness may be
impacted by the existence of factors that can lead individuals to initiate and maintain
weight loss.
This qualitative pilot study identified the factors that led individuals to initiate and
maintain weight loss. The purpose was to explore the beliefs and experiences of
individuals who were trying to lose or had already lost a significant amount of body
weight.
Results revealed twenty-two factors that led individuals to initiate and maintain
weight loss with the most prominent factors being various triggers such as health,
appearance, emotional and lifestyle triggers. The presence of support systems,
experiencing internal motivation and wanting to role model for their children were also
important factors in their decision to initiate and continue their weight loss journey.
The results of this study will assist health professionals in assessing a clients’
readiness to adopt strategies and lifestyle changes to lose weight. By having an
understanding of the reasons why individuals seek assistance in losing weight, health
professionals can modify their weight management programs to better counsel
overweight and obese individuals and help predict who will be successful at weight loss.
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Keywords
Attitudes , Overweight persons , Body weight , Public opinion , Halifax , Nova Scotia , Weight loss