The journey of weight loss maintenance : behaviour change programmes and processes

• Main Author: Campbell-Danesh, Aria
• Published: University College London (University of London) 2017
• Online Access: https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.746822

Obesity is a significant public health challenge. This thesis focuses on interventions designed to support the long-term maintenance of weight loss and is presented in three parts. Part I is a systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of behaviour change interventions for weight loss maintenance. Thirty-three studies met the eligibility criteria for the review. The findings suggest that behaviour change interventions can be effective in sustaining weight loss for up to 24 months following initial weight loss. Further research is necessary to assess the effects of these interventions over longer timeframes. Part II is a qualitative study exploring participants’ experiences of an innovative, technology-assisted weight loss maintenance intervention. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 individuals who had recently completed the trial. Transcripts were analysed using Framework analysis and yielded six main themes organised into three superordinate themes. The themes focused on participants’ experiences of the intervention and ways in which it facilitated or hindered the process of maintaining weight loss. Part III is a critical reflection on the process of conducting the empirical study. The discussion revolves around ways in which qualitative research draws together science and art. In light of wider methodological and conceptual issues, key challenges during the research process and the ways in which they were overcome are highlighted.