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The Article in Brief
Participants' Explanatory Model of Being Overweight and Their Experiences of 2 Weight Loss Interventions
Amy L. Ahern , and colleagues
Background Previous international research found that a commercial Weight Watchers program was more successful in helping people lose weight than a standard primary care-based intervention. In this study, researchers analyze the accounts of a small sample of 16 participants' experiences with these two programs.
What This Study Found Referral to a commercial weight loss provider resonates with participants' general explanatory model of being overweight; they want support and motivation rather than education in a medical context, and they value the ease of access and frequent contact the commercial provider offers. Many report a resistance to the medicalization of being overweight. Some patients prefer individual-level support through their physician, and, in this study, all were positive about the opportunity to access support through the primary care setting.
Implications
- The authors conclude these findings support providing patients with a range of options for weight management in primary care, including commercial programs and other interventions outside the traditional medical setting, to find what best suits their needs and lifestyle.