Abstract
Achieving and maintaining weight loss for large segments of the population remains elusive, despite evidence demonstrating the value of many weight management programs. This study aimed to gather patients’ perceptions on weight management education needs, and ideas for the structure of a weight management program to be delivered in community pharmacies. This was an exploratory mixed methods study combining qualitative focus group interviews with a cross-sectional survey. Three focus group interviews were conducted, along with a brief survey based on focus groups findings and sent to all eligible participants. The survey allowed for individual responses on the program components and narrowing down of focus group findings. Nearly half of the respondents (45.9%) wanted further education on limiting carbohydrate and sugar intake. Participants were most interested in identifying different exercises appropriate for those with physical limitations (48.6%). Most participants preferred 1 h meetings (70.3%) that contain a mix of one-on-one and group meeting formats (67.6%). The results of the study suggest a three-month weight management program, with a combination of group and individual in-person meetings occurring twice per month, would be of most interest to patients.
Highlights
Obesity is a leading health concern around the world
A total of 61 individuals participated in the focus group interviews; 52 individuals were recruited directly from the research collaborative, with another nine individuals being guests of collaborative members
The survey was sent to the original 74 research collaborative participants in addition to the nine new members who came to the focus group interviews with a friend
Summary
Obesity is a leading health concern around the world. A recently published study of body mass index (BMI) trends illustrates that for the first time in history there are more people in the world who are overweight than underweight [1]. Approximately 13% of the world’s adult population has been diagnosed with obesity [2], and more than 30% of the United States’ (US) adult population face the same diagnosis [3]. Obesity is a major risk factor for chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer [2]. Obesity contributes to three of the top five highest reported causes of death in the US [4]. According to the September 2015 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Trust for American’s
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