Applying Grounded Theory to Weight Management among Women: Making a Commitment to Healthy Eating

Authors

Christie Zunker, University of Alabama at BirminghamFollow
Nataliya Ivankova, University of Alabama at BirminghamFollow

Abstract

In this study we developed a theory grounded in data from women who continued healthy eating behaviors after a weight management program. Participant recruitment was guided by theoretical sampling strategies for focus groups and individual interviews. Inclusion criteria were: African American or Caucasian women aged 30+ who lost > 5% of their body weight in a weight management program > year ago. Participants > 5% below their baseline weight were maintainers (n = 9); those above were non-maintainers (n = 14). We asked open-ended questions regarding healthy eating behaviors. The systematic design is described in detail, including categories from open coding, connection during axial coding, and integration into a theory, labeled Commitment to Healthy Eating, during selective coding. Procedures for establishing credibility are also included.

Keywords

Grounded Theory, African American, Women, Systematic Approach, and Weight

Publication Date

5-1-2011

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2011.1092

Recommended APA Citation

Zunker, C., & Ivankova, N. (2011). Applying Grounded Theory to Weight Management among Women: Making a Commitment to Healthy Eating. The Qualitative Report, 16(3), 860-880. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2011.1092