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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2010

Open Access 01-12-2010 | Research article

"The solution needs to be complex."Obese adults' attitudes about the effectiveness of individual and population based interventions for obesity

Authors: Samantha L Thomas, Sophie Lewis, Jim Hyde, David Castle, Paul Komesaroff

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

Background

Previous studies of public perceptions of obesity interventions have been quantitative and based on general population surveys. This study aims to explore the opinions and attitudes of obese individuals towards population and individual interventions for obesity in Australia.

Methods

Qualitative methods using in-depth semi-structured telephone interviews with a community sample of obese adults (Body Mass Index ≥30). Theoretical, purposive and strategic recruitment techniques were used to ensure a broad sample of obese individuals with different types of experiences with their obesity. Participants were asked about their attitudes towards three population based interventions (regulation, media campaigns, and public health initiatives) and three individual interventions (tailored fitness programs, commercial dieting, and gastric banding surgery), and the effectiveness of these interventions.

Results

One hundred and forty two individuals (19-75 years) were interviewed. Participants strongly supported non-commercial interventions that were focused on encouraging individuals to make healthy lifestyle changes (regulation, physical activity programs, and public health initiatives). There was less support for interventions perceived to be invasive or high risk (gastric band surgery), stigmatising (media campaigns), or commercially motivated and promoting weight loss techniques (commercial diets and gastric banding surgery).

Conclusion

Obese adults support non-commercial, non-stigmatising interventions which are designed to improve lifestyles, rather than promote weight loss.
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Metadata
Title
"The solution needs to be complex."Obese adults' attitudes about the effectiveness of individual and population based interventions for obesity
Authors
Samantha L Thomas
Sophie Lewis
Jim Hyde
David Castle
Paul Komesaroff
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-10-420

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