Experiences With Weight Loss Triggers in Women Prescribed to Lose Weight by Their Physician

<strong>Background:</strong> With the global rise of individuals classified as overweight and obese, weight-related screenings have been promoted to combat their high prevalence and associated health problems. Hopefully, such screenings can act as a ‘trigger’ for health behavior change,...

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Main Authors: Mark D. Faries, Elizabeth Espie, Erik Gnagy, Kyle P. McMorries
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Shiraz University of Medical Sciences 2015-11-01
Series:Women’s Health Bulletin
Subjects:
Online Access:http://womenshealthbulletin.sums.ac.ir/article_45221_e43efe133910699d2dfa90e6c4732229.pdf
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author Mark D. Faries
Elizabeth Espie
Erik Gnagy
Kyle P. McMorries
author_facet Mark D. Faries
Elizabeth Espie
Erik Gnagy
Kyle P. McMorries
author_sort Mark D. Faries
collection DOAJ
description <strong>Background:</strong> With the global rise of individuals classified as overweight and obese, weight-related screenings have been promoted to combat their high prevalence and associated health problems. Hopefully, such screenings can act as a ‘trigger’ for health behavior change, however little is known about the experience of weight loss triggers. <strong>Objectives:</strong> The aim of this study was to elaborate on the experiences and meanings of weight-control triggers in a sample of overweight women prescribed by their physician to lose weight. <strong>Patients and Methods:</strong> We conducted exploratory qualitative interviews, grounded in phenomenological practices, to elaborate on the experience and meaning of weight loss ‘triggers’ in a sample of overweight, female patients prescribed to lose weight by their physician. <strong>Results:</strong> Weight-related screenings can act as a ‘trigger’ for health behavior change. Overall, we discovered five novel themes that embodied patients’ complex experiences with triggers: (1) trigger realization, (2) trigger meaning, (3) knowing what to do, (4) perceptions of self, and (5) the good, the bad, the monitoring. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> We believe our findings advance the novel understanding of experiences with triggers. Specifically, our work sheds light on why triggers occur, and can guide how to create and manage both realized and meaningful triggers for healthy behavior change. The present results suggest that trigger realization can come from several different sources (e.g. medical, emotional, clothing, social), yet women are capable of deflecting any potential trigger experience. In addition, our findings suggest multiple facets of self-monitoring experiences can actually be counterproductive in weight control. The results provide insight for primary care, weight control counseling, and future interventions for triggered patients.
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spelling doaj.art-a3730321612a4233b55fb21c0ef5a5a02022-12-22T02:02:53ZengShiraz University of Medical SciencesWomen’s Health Bulletin2345-51362382-99902015-11-01311710.17795/whb-3016645221Experiences With Weight Loss Triggers in Women Prescribed to Lose Weight by Their PhysicianMark D. Faries0Elizabeth Espie1Erik Gnagy2Kyle P. McMorries3Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, USADepartment of Kinesiology and Health Science, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, USADepartment of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas, Texas, USAThe Women’s Center, Nacogdoches, USA<strong>Background:</strong> With the global rise of individuals classified as overweight and obese, weight-related screenings have been promoted to combat their high prevalence and associated health problems. Hopefully, such screenings can act as a ‘trigger’ for health behavior change, however little is known about the experience of weight loss triggers. <strong>Objectives:</strong> The aim of this study was to elaborate on the experiences and meanings of weight-control triggers in a sample of overweight women prescribed by their physician to lose weight. <strong>Patients and Methods:</strong> We conducted exploratory qualitative interviews, grounded in phenomenological practices, to elaborate on the experience and meaning of weight loss ‘triggers’ in a sample of overweight, female patients prescribed to lose weight by their physician. <strong>Results:</strong> Weight-related screenings can act as a ‘trigger’ for health behavior change. Overall, we discovered five novel themes that embodied patients’ complex experiences with triggers: (1) trigger realization, (2) trigger meaning, (3) knowing what to do, (4) perceptions of self, and (5) the good, the bad, the monitoring. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> We believe our findings advance the novel understanding of experiences with triggers. Specifically, our work sheds light on why triggers occur, and can guide how to create and manage both realized and meaningful triggers for healthy behavior change. The present results suggest that trigger realization can come from several different sources (e.g. medical, emotional, clothing, social), yet women are capable of deflecting any potential trigger experience. In addition, our findings suggest multiple facets of self-monitoring experiences can actually be counterproductive in weight control. The results provide insight for primary care, weight control counseling, and future interventions for triggered patients.http://womenshealthbulletin.sums.ac.ir/article_45221_e43efe133910699d2dfa90e6c4732229.pdfbody weightweight lossscreeningbody image
spellingShingle Mark D. Faries
Elizabeth Espie
Erik Gnagy
Kyle P. McMorries
Experiences With Weight Loss Triggers in Women Prescribed to Lose Weight by Their Physician
Women’s Health Bulletin
body weight
weight loss
screening
body image
title Experiences With Weight Loss Triggers in Women Prescribed to Lose Weight by Their Physician
title_full Experiences With Weight Loss Triggers in Women Prescribed to Lose Weight by Their Physician
title_fullStr Experiences With Weight Loss Triggers in Women Prescribed to Lose Weight by Their Physician
title_full_unstemmed Experiences With Weight Loss Triggers in Women Prescribed to Lose Weight by Their Physician
title_short Experiences With Weight Loss Triggers in Women Prescribed to Lose Weight by Their Physician
title_sort experiences with weight loss triggers in women prescribed to lose weight by their physician
topic body weight
weight loss
screening
body image
url http://womenshealthbulletin.sums.ac.ir/article_45221_e43efe133910699d2dfa90e6c4732229.pdf
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