Weight Loss Program Preferences of Men Working in Blue-Collar Occupations: A Qualitative Inquiry
Men who work in blue-collar occupations (skilled and unskilled trades) experience high rates of obesity and comorbid conditions. This group is underrepresented in behavioral interventions for weight management, which may stem from a mismatch between the features of available programs and these men’s...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2022-09-01
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| Series: | American Journal of Men's Health |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/15579883221117932 |
| _version_ | 1811204227948609536 |
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| author | Melissa M. Crane Katerina Newman Jeni Hebert-Beirne Eulàlia P. Abril Lynda H. Powell Bradley M. Appelhans |
| author_facet | Melissa M. Crane Katerina Newman Jeni Hebert-Beirne Eulàlia P. Abril Lynda H. Powell Bradley M. Appelhans |
| author_sort | Melissa M. Crane |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Men who work in blue-collar occupations (skilled and unskilled trades) experience high rates of obesity and comorbid conditions. This group is underrepresented in behavioral interventions for weight management, which may stem from a mismatch between the features of available programs and these men’s preferences. This qualitative study explored the views of these men, their experiences with weight loss, their preferences for weight loss programs, and messaging related to these programs. We conducted remote interviews with 20 men (age: 43 ± 13 years, M ± SD ) currently working in blue-collar occupations (50% construction, 25% transportation, and 25% manufacturing) who had body mass indices (BMIs) in the overweight/obese categories (BMI: 33 ± 6 kg/m 2 ). Deductive codes and summary themes were developed and discussed by the first two authors. A selection of transcripts was reviewed following theme development to confirm accuracy of the themes. Most participants ( n = 16, 80%) reported a prior weight loss attempt. The most common approaches to weight loss reported were increased exercise and following their own approach to changing diet (e.g., “eating less junk food”). For program and message preferences, two major themes emerged: participants wanted accurate and trustworthy information and wanted programs that fit their lifestyle. Results suggest that weight loss programs targeting men working in blue-collar occupations should emphasize the accuracy of information related to the program and the ease of incorporating it into participants’ lifestyles. There is an urgent need to incorporate these preferences into effective programs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T03:09:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0656ab13d917415eb2c502f94e775448 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1557-9891 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T03:09:03Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | American Journal of Men's Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-0656ab13d917415eb2c502f94e7754482022-12-22T03:50:24ZengSAGE PublishingAmerican Journal of Men's Health1557-98912022-09-011610.1177/15579883221117932Weight Loss Program Preferences of Men Working in Blue-Collar Occupations: A Qualitative InquiryMelissa M. Crane0Katerina Newman1Jeni Hebert-Beirne2Eulàlia P. Abril3Lynda H. Powell4Bradley M. Appelhans5Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USADepartment of Family and Preventive Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USADivision of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USADepartment of Communication, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USADepartment of Family and Preventive Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USADepartment of Family and Preventive Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USAMen who work in blue-collar occupations (skilled and unskilled trades) experience high rates of obesity and comorbid conditions. This group is underrepresented in behavioral interventions for weight management, which may stem from a mismatch between the features of available programs and these men’s preferences. This qualitative study explored the views of these men, their experiences with weight loss, their preferences for weight loss programs, and messaging related to these programs. We conducted remote interviews with 20 men (age: 43 ± 13 years, M ± SD ) currently working in blue-collar occupations (50% construction, 25% transportation, and 25% manufacturing) who had body mass indices (BMIs) in the overweight/obese categories (BMI: 33 ± 6 kg/m 2 ). Deductive codes and summary themes were developed and discussed by the first two authors. A selection of transcripts was reviewed following theme development to confirm accuracy of the themes. Most participants ( n = 16, 80%) reported a prior weight loss attempt. The most common approaches to weight loss reported were increased exercise and following their own approach to changing diet (e.g., “eating less junk food”). For program and message preferences, two major themes emerged: participants wanted accurate and trustworthy information and wanted programs that fit their lifestyle. Results suggest that weight loss programs targeting men working in blue-collar occupations should emphasize the accuracy of information related to the program and the ease of incorporating it into participants’ lifestyles. There is an urgent need to incorporate these preferences into effective programs.https://doi.org/10.1177/15579883221117932 |
| spellingShingle | Melissa M. Crane Katerina Newman Jeni Hebert-Beirne Eulàlia P. Abril Lynda H. Powell Bradley M. Appelhans Weight Loss Program Preferences of Men Working in Blue-Collar Occupations: A Qualitative Inquiry American Journal of Men's Health |
| title | Weight Loss Program Preferences of Men Working in Blue-Collar Occupations: A Qualitative Inquiry |
| title_full | Weight Loss Program Preferences of Men Working in Blue-Collar Occupations: A Qualitative Inquiry |
| title_fullStr | Weight Loss Program Preferences of Men Working in Blue-Collar Occupations: A Qualitative Inquiry |
| title_full_unstemmed | Weight Loss Program Preferences of Men Working in Blue-Collar Occupations: A Qualitative Inquiry |
| title_short | Weight Loss Program Preferences of Men Working in Blue-Collar Occupations: A Qualitative Inquiry |
| title_sort | weight loss program preferences of men working in blue collar occupations a qualitative inquiry |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/15579883221117932 |
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