Original Article
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2007) 61, 526–531. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602537; published online 20 September 2006
Overweight men's motivations and perceived barriers towards weight loss
Guarantor: U Toft.
Contributors: MSS and UT performed the focus group interviews, conducted the data analysis and were responsible for the interpretation of the data and drafting the manuscript. LH and AR helped design and were supervisors on the project. All the authors participated in editing the manuscript and provided advice regarding interpretation of the results.
M S Sabinsky1, U Toft2, A Raben3 and L Holm4
- 1Suhr's University College of Nutrition and Health, International Knowledge Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark
- 2Research Centre of Prevention and Health, Glostrup University Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark
- 3Novo Nordisk A/S, Clinical Research Dev Projects, Copenhagen, Denmark
- 4Department of Human Nutrition, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
Correspondence: U Toft, Research Centre of Prevention and Health, Glostrup University Hospital, Nordre Ringvej 57, Building 84/85, Glostrup DK-2600, Denmark. E-mail: ulto@glostruphosp.kbhamt.dk
Received 5 December 2005; Revised 19 June 2006; Accepted 30 July 2006; Published online 20 September 2006.
Abstract
Objective:
To explore motivation and perceived barriers towards weight loss among Danish men.
Design:
The study was of an explorative nature, using qualitative focus group interviews as a method.
Setting:
Copenhagen, Denmark.
Subjects:
Twenty-two overweight men, at the age of 25–44 years and motivated for weight loss, were recruited and distributed into four focus groups. The men were primarily unskilled workers. Overall 13 men participated and each group contained three or four participants.
Intervention:
The interview guide was partly structured, partly unstructured and the themes of the interviews were motives and perceived barriers towards weight loss.
Results:
Main barriers for losing weight appeared to be lack of motivation and the perception of the slimming diet. The men had a desire to have a lean appearance and avoid illness, but in all the interviews it appeared that the strongest motive for losing weight was a strong desire to become more effective and a greater asset for one's workplace. Overweight subjects were considered less effective and attractive for the labour market.
Conclusion:
This study indicates that if men from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are to be motivated to weight loss the focus should not be on leanness and good health but rather on increased effectiveness and performance, and the arena should include the working place.
Sponsorship:
The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University supplied the necessary equipment and conference rooms.
Keywords:
weight loss, focus group interviews, health, appearance, effectiveness
MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS
These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated
RESEARCH
Effect of aluminum mobilization on hemoglobin during the first six months after transplantation
Kidney International Original Article
Thromboxane and prostacyclin differentially regulate murine extracellular matrix gene expression
Kidney International Original Article
Overweight men's motivations and perceived barriers towards weight loss
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition Original Article
British Dental Journal Research (12 Aug 2006)
