Identification of Barriers to Adherence to a Weight Loss Diet in Women Using the Nominal Group Technique

• Main Authors: Angela De Leon, James N. Roemmich, Shanon L. Casperson
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-12-01
• Series: Nutrients
• Subjects: barriers; diet; nominal group technique; weight loss; women
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/12/3750

Background: At any given time, a majority of women are engaged in some type of weight loss diet; however, these efforts are difficult to sustain for long-term weight control. Because women are more likely to develop obesity and suffer a greater severity of obesity-related health and economic consequences, we sought to identify the key factors that make adhering to a weight loss diet difficult for overweight/obese women. Methods: Ten nominal group technique (NGT) sessions aimed at identifying perceived barriers to adherence to a weight loss diet were conducted as part of a weight loss study for overweight/obese women (<i>n</i> = 33) during the controlled feeding weight loss phase. Results: Individual-level barriers to emerge from the sessions included knowing when to stop eating, being able to control cravings and emotional eating, and sustaining healthier dietary habits. Environmental-level barriers included family/social events that bring people together, especially those centered around food and drink, eating out, cost, and busy schedules. Conclusions: These findings offer a deeper understanding of barriers women find most salient to adhering to a weight loss diet, providing direction for the clinical application of weight loss programs.