What a weight loss programme should contain if people with obesity were asked - A qualitative analysis within the DO:IT study
Abstract Background Currently 1.9 billion adults worldwide are estimated to be overweight or obese. In Denmark the municipalities hold the responsibility to deliver weight loss programmes to overweight and obese citizens. There has been a tendency to assume that obesity reduction programmes that work in specialized hospital settings are directly transferrable to the municipalities. However, municipality-based weight loss programmes have not produced clinically significant reductions in body weight. Differential success rates between hospital and municipal settings may be due to a discrepancy between research evidence and needs of people with obesity. The first step in developing a weight loss programme designed for the municipalities is to understand what a programme should contain, if people with obesity were asked. The aim of this study was to examine what people with obesity find important in a weight loss programme to make the weight loss successful and maintained. Methods We used a qualitative, explorative, descriptive design drawing on hermeneutical reflection with individual interviews. We included men and women age 17 and older with a BMI≥25 kg/m2. Participants were recruited from the wait lists of 13 municipality programmes and through Facebook posts. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Results Thirty-four participants with overweight or obesity were individually interviewed (age between 19 – 74). Findings suggest that weight loss programmes should support the participants in structuring days, not with restrictions but with replacement activities. Programmes should also aide individuals with taking one thing at a time and facilitating social support from friends, health professionals and peers. Diet and exercise were expressed as important content in a weight loss programme, but as having a negative meaning. Conclusion People with obesity wish to have a structured approach to weight loss that focuses on habits, social support and preserving the positive meaning of activities.