Adherence
Patients perceive lifestyle factors (diet, exercise) and biological factors (genetics, metabolism) as causes of obesity, but often lack understanding of the biological mechanisms, leading to a focus on willpower and emotional eating as primary determinants of weight loss maintenance.
Patients often believe that willpower and exercise are the main keys to keeping weight off, ignoring biological factors. This can lead to feelings of failure when willpower runs out. It is important to educate patients that biological factors also play a role, and that using medical interventions alongside lifestyle changes is valid and effective.
For weight loss maintenance, the perceptions and beliefs were heterogeneous with biological factors not considered a determinant of success. Instead, exercise, support, and willpower were described as associated with success.
Why this rating
Qualitative data; perceptions do not necessarily reflect physiological reality.
Source
“You Are Always at War With Yourself” The Perceptions and Beliefs of People With Obesity Regarding Obesity as a Disease
Andrew Grannell et al. · Qualitative Health Research · 2021
DOI 10.1177/10497323211040767
More from this paper
- Patients with severe obesity perceive obesity as a disease due to a lack of control and addiction-like mechanisms, yet simultaneously maintain a belief in personal responsibility and self-blame, creating a barrier to accepting the disease label fully.Moderate
- Patients perceive emotional eating, driven by stress, depression, and childhood adversity, as a significant cause of obesity and a barrier to weight loss maintenance.Moderate
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