Onset of Weight Gain and Health Concerns for Men: Findings from the TAP Programme

Mark Cortnage,Andy Pringle

doi:10.3390/ijerph19010579

Abstract

With shown reticence by men to engage with dietary interventions for weight loss, investigations that provide detail on men’s perceptions for the causes of weight gain and subsequent concerns over health and image are important. Such discoveries have potential to make a valuable contribution to male gendered programme design aimed at tackling weight gain and promoting good health. Connecting to men to health using their hobbies and interests, this study deployed semi-structured interviews of eight male participants (age > 35 years) enrolled on The Alpha Programme (TAP). TAP is a 12-week football and weight management intervention delivered in local community venues. Results captured men’s lived experiences and feelings of being overweight, their attempts at dietary modification, health and causes of weight gain. Results signify externalized attribution for weight gain, entrenched habitual intake practices, despondency related to weight stigmatization, self-objectification and low self-worth. Moreover, this study outlines the processes for capturing this information using a male friendly approach and setting. Outcomes have potential for shaping bespoke men’s weight management and health improvement interventions in the future.

Highlights

Feelings of being overweight and obese have limited research coverage
The Alpha Programme (TAP) was conceived in 2013 based on both empirical and research outlining the reluctance of men to access health services and engage with effective weight management incentives [19,20,21] with the aim of offering an innovative male gendered alternative to weight loss and management
Conversations suggested three reasons for weight gain: lifestyle, occupation supporting a decrease in activity and poor, habitually led food choices

Summary

Introduction

Feelings of being overweight and obese have limited research coverage. Recognising the low engagement with health services, men may not consider incentives such as dieting and health improvement as strong motivators to tackle weight, whereas alternative incentives may be more enticing, namely opportunities to improve performance and effectiveness [1]. Younger men are more inclined to engage in ‘performative acts’ such as risk taking, violence and excessive drinking [5], older men, perceived to be more risk adverse [6,7] portray a cautious appreciation of risk where age related decline in strength, fitness and sexual prowess manifest into efforts to halt said decline [8] Despite this perception, older male, health positive practice is not replicated in the UK data which underlines a persistent increase over the last 28 years of male overweight/obesity, rising from 58% of the total. Qualitative feedback obtained from interviews was used to compare outcomes and evaluate the success of the intervention and identify key implementation considerations These lived experiences are presented through themes identified related to health, weight, and diet.

Intervention Context

Ethical Consideration

Instrumentation

Analysis

Attribution of Weight Gain

Concerns over Health and Weight

I: What concerns do you have about being overweight?

I: Which concerns do you have about being overweight such as health for instance?

Prior Dietary Attempts

I: How did that go?

I: How does it feel to be overweight?

Findings