Barriers and facilitators of weight management in overweight and obese people: Qualitative findings of TABASSOM project

Abstract

• Introduction: Since weight management is affected by various factors, including social and behavioral ones, this study aimed to explore the peoples’ experience of barriers and facilitators of weight management.
• Materials and Methods: This qualitative content analysis was conducted as the initial step of TABASSOM Study. Participants, who tried to reduce their weight at least once, were selected by purposeful sampling method from aerobic fitness clubs, parks, and public offices in Isfahan in 2010. Data saturation was reached after indepth unstructured interviews with 11 participants. Data analysis was done by conventional content analysis method.
• Findings: The participants have intermittently followed weight loss program. Barriers such as physical problems, lack of motivation, lack of work and family support and lack of time have resulted in their failures and outages. The main facilitator to start or restart after stopping such programs for a while was positive psychologic effect.
• Discussion and Conclusion: Findings showed that many problems could prevent weight loss. It is important to identify obstacles that hinder weight management and regimen programs and to discuss them with people before planning for their weight management.
•  Key words: Obesity, overweight, qualitative study