Ebook “Taking Charge of One’s Life”: A Model for Weight Management Success
Being overweight or obese is a serious health problem that affects over 66% of American adults (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006). The prevalence of obesity-related medical conditions continues to rise. Several medical conditions associated with obesity include hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, certain forms of cancer, sleep apnea, and osteoarthritis (The Obesity Society, 2008). Nationally, related health costs may exceed $78 billion annually (Finkelstein, Fiebelkorn, & Wang, 2003).
Research on obesity is extensive, and two major focal areas have been identification of correlates of weight loss and refinement/comparison of treatments. However, findings have been contradictory, and no single approach has been effective in maintaining long-term weight control. To better understand weight loss from the perspective of those actually trying to lose weight, a grounded theory approach was used to examine the process women experienced during their participation in a formal weight loss study.
The larger study examined success with specific, targeted weight loss treatments based on one’s weight control self-efficacy (WCSE) type; assured or disbeliever. Women with assured WCSE were confident they could control their body weight, and women with disbeliever WCSE had a wavering faith in their ability to successfully accomplish this. All women received 10 weeks of heart healthy classes, followed by 24 weeks of active weight loss treatment aimed at their specific WCSE type, totaling 34 weeks of intervention.
The goal of assured treatment was to support and further strengthen the confident efficacy beliefs of women with assured WCSE. The goal of disbeliever treatment was to build and instill confidence in women with disbeliever WCSE that they could successfully accomplish the behaviors needed for weight control (Dennis et al., 2001). Women from the larger study were interviewed for the present grounded theory study following the 34 weeks of interventions, which offered them a wealth of experience that enhanced the potential value of the interview data.
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