“Taking Charge of One’s Life”: A Model for Weight Management Success

Authors

Marlene Adams, University of DelawareFollow

Abstract

Obesity is a serious, prevalent, and refractory disorder that increases with age particularly in women who enroll in formal weight loss treatments. This study examined the processes used by obese postmenopausal women as they participated in a formal weight loss program. Using grounded theory, interviews were conducted with 14 women engaged in a formal weight loss study examining success with specific, targeted weight loss treatments based on one’s weight control self-efficacy typology. “Taking Charge of One’s Life” emerged as a model for weight management success, comprised of three phases: engaging, internalizing, and keeping one’s commitment. This study supports the unique, complex, and individualized nature of making a decision to lose weight and then maintaining one’s commitment to weight loss.

Keywords

Obesity, Women, Postmenopausal, Weight Management, and Grounded Theory

Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the Pi chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International, Honor Society of Nursing. Dr. Adams would like to acknowledge Lisa Ann Plowfield, PhD, RN for her editorial assistance in preparing this manuscript for submission to The Qualitative Report and Susan McCrone, PhD, RN for her ongoing encouragement and support.

Publication Date

3-1-2008

Creative Commons License

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

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2008.1604

Recommended APA Citation

Adams, M. (2008). “Taking Charge of One’s Life”: A Model for Weight Management Success. The Qualitative Report, 13(1), 30-52. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2008.1604