Abstract
dc:description.abstractThe Foresight Report, 2007 suggests that by 2050, 60% of males and 50% of females will be clinically obese. The consequences of such a rise are a serious concern for the government, healthcare systems and the individuals. Obesity can threaten the individual’s mental and physical health and quality of life. For the person living with the classification of severe obesity the frequency and severity of comorbidities make weight loss increasingly difficult. Whilst short-term interventions in treating obesity are successful, long-term maintenance of weight loss shows limited success. The aim of this research was to develop a substantive theory to explain maintained weight loss. The inclusion criteria selected participants who began their intentional weight loss from a B.M.I. of 35 or above, reached their goal weight and maintained this weight loss for at least one year. Seven semi-structured interviews were carried out and analysed using Charmaz’s (2006) grounded theory approach. A substantive theory of ‘Emergent Self’ was developed which explained participants’ views and feelings of their process of maintained weight loss. The theory was developed from seven categories; ‘Normalizing’, ‘Controlling’, ‘Isolating’, ‘Seeking’, ‘Gaining’, ‘Analysing’ and ‘Choosing’. ‘Emergent Self’ was the core category as it was the most pervasive theme expressed by participants. Findings suggested that as the participants experienced a process of psychological awareness within a favourable environment their reliance upon food for emotional avoidance reduced. The environment provided; hope for recovery, identification with others, openness and honesty to share, self-acceptance and access to a nonjudgemental supportive community of like-minded individuals. The participants facilitated a life-long way of achieving maintained weight loss. These findings can be used to inform future weight management programmes.
Author and committee
dc:creator, dc:contributor.*- Author dc:creator
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- Cullen, Caroline