The well now course: a service evaluation of a health gain approach to weight management
Abstract Background The Well Now health and weight course teaches body respect and health gain for all. The course validates peoples’ lived experiences and knowledge through group activities and discussion with the aim of helping people to better understand their food and body stories. Well Now expl...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06836-z |
| _version_ | 1819116220647997440 |
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| author | Fiona Clarke Daryll Archibald Valerie MacDonald Sara Huc Christina Ellwood |
| author_facet | Fiona Clarke Daryll Archibald Valerie MacDonald Sara Huc Christina Ellwood |
| author_sort | Fiona Clarke |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The Well Now health and weight course teaches body respect and health gain for all. The course validates peoples’ lived experiences and knowledge through group activities and discussion with the aim of helping people to better understand their food and body stories. Well Now explores different ways of knowing, including the use and limits of body signals, like energy levels, hunger, taste and emotions and helps people keep food and behaviours in perspective by drawing attention to other factors that impact on health and wellbeing. This study undertook a service evaluation of the Well Now course to understand its acceptability for participants and its impact on diet quality, food preoccupation, physical activity and mental wellbeing. Methods This service evaluation combined quantitative pre- and post-course measures with telephone interviews with previous attendees. Paired t-tests were used to determine if there were statistically significant differences in the intended outcomes. Semi-structured qualitative telephone interviews were undertaken with previous attendees 6–12 months after attendance to understand how participants experienced the Well Now course. Results Significant improvements were demonstrated in diet quality, food preoccupation, physical activity and mental wellbeing outcomes. Medium effect sizes are demonstrated for mental wellbeing and diet quality, with smaller effect sizes shown for physical activity and food preoccupation. The weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) of attendees remained stable in this timeframe. The qualitative data corroborates and extends elements of the quantitative outcomes and highlights areas of the course that may benefit from further development and improvement. The findings further indicate that the Well Now approach is largely acceptable for attendees. Conclusions Well Now’s non-judgemental holistic approach facilitates change for those who complete the course, and for those who do not. This health gain approach upholds non-maleficence and beneficence, and this is demonstrated with this service evaluation for both completers and partial completers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T05:13:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-49fc4270bfd34f798560240d5542afd7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T05:13:38Z |
| publishDate | 2021-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-49fc4270bfd34f798560240d5542afd72022-12-21T18:37:55ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632021-08-0121111310.1186/s12913-021-06836-zThe well now course: a service evaluation of a health gain approach to weight managementFiona Clarke0Daryll Archibald1Valerie MacDonald2Sara Huc3Christina Ellwood4Community Dietetics, RNI, Ness WalkSchool of Health Sciences, University of DundeeHealth Improvement Team, Public Health, NHS Highland, Larch House Stoneyfield Business ParkHealth Improvement Team, Public Health, NHS Highland, Larch House Stoneyfield Business ParkDavid Anderson Building, Aberdeen Royal InfirmaryAbstract Background The Well Now health and weight course teaches body respect and health gain for all. The course validates peoples’ lived experiences and knowledge through group activities and discussion with the aim of helping people to better understand their food and body stories. Well Now explores different ways of knowing, including the use and limits of body signals, like energy levels, hunger, taste and emotions and helps people keep food and behaviours in perspective by drawing attention to other factors that impact on health and wellbeing. This study undertook a service evaluation of the Well Now course to understand its acceptability for participants and its impact on diet quality, food preoccupation, physical activity and mental wellbeing. Methods This service evaluation combined quantitative pre- and post-course measures with telephone interviews with previous attendees. Paired t-tests were used to determine if there were statistically significant differences in the intended outcomes. Semi-structured qualitative telephone interviews were undertaken with previous attendees 6–12 months after attendance to understand how participants experienced the Well Now course. Results Significant improvements were demonstrated in diet quality, food preoccupation, physical activity and mental wellbeing outcomes. Medium effect sizes are demonstrated for mental wellbeing and diet quality, with smaller effect sizes shown for physical activity and food preoccupation. The weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) of attendees remained stable in this timeframe. The qualitative data corroborates and extends elements of the quantitative outcomes and highlights areas of the course that may benefit from further development and improvement. The findings further indicate that the Well Now approach is largely acceptable for attendees. Conclusions Well Now’s non-judgemental holistic approach facilitates change for those who complete the course, and for those who do not. This health gain approach upholds non-maleficence and beneficence, and this is demonstrated with this service evaluation for both completers and partial completers.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06836-zPublic healthObesityHealthy weightNon-diet approachService evaluationHealth at every size (HAES) |
| spellingShingle | Fiona Clarke Daryll Archibald Valerie MacDonald Sara Huc Christina Ellwood The well now course: a service evaluation of a health gain approach to weight management BMC Health Services Research Public health Obesity Healthy weight Non-diet approach Service evaluation Health at every size (HAES) |
| title | The well now course: a service evaluation of a health gain approach to weight management |
| title_full | The well now course: a service evaluation of a health gain approach to weight management |
| title_fullStr | The well now course: a service evaluation of a health gain approach to weight management |
| title_full_unstemmed | The well now course: a service evaluation of a health gain approach to weight management |
| title_short | The well now course: a service evaluation of a health gain approach to weight management |
| title_sort | well now course a service evaluation of a health gain approach to weight management |
| topic | Public health Obesity Healthy weight Non-diet approach Service evaluation Health at every size (HAES) |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06836-z |
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