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AuYoung M, Reardon C, Sparks J, Richardson CR, Damschroder LJ. What's Your Type? A Qualitative Analysis of Weight Loss Success by Weight Loss Archetype. Poster session presented at: Society of Behavioral Medicine Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions; 2016 Mar 30; Washington, DC.
Abstract Body Weight loss relies on a challenging process that often includes cycles of weight losses and regains. A wide range of evidence-based interventions have been developed, all of which claim varying degrees of success over time. However, given the continued high rates of overweight and obesity, there is a need to more deeply understand what individuals experience as they attempt to lose weight and maintain that loss so that interventions can be better matched to needs and preferences and increase the likelihood of success. Semi-structured patient interviews were conducted approximately 12 months after program enrollment into two concurrent pragmatic evaluations of three different interventions targeted to overweight/obese individuals at high risk for developing diabetes. Interviewees were selected for a balanced sample across the three intervention sites, by intervention arm, 12-month weight loss outcome, intervention participation level, and sex. A team of qualitative analysts used inductive coding to develop a codebook and create visual diagrams illustrating relationships among key theoretical constructs (e.g., motivation, locus of control) for behavior change. Participants exhibited characteristics of one of three dynamic archetypes, which differed in the degrees of connectivity among key constructs. In general, the more connections participants made between key constructs, the more likely they were to have experienced continued overall weight loss success. Motivation for weight loss alone was not necessarily associated with weight loss success. These findings convey the importance of understanding weight loss within the context of a complex interaction of constructs including motivation, attitudes, locus of control. Methods are needed to recognize the degree to which participants link and act on key constructs so that interventions can better support their success
