Similarities and Differences between Weight Loss Maintainers and Regainers: A Qualitative Analysis

摘要: Abstract Obesity is remarkably refractory to treatment. Despite a plethora of quantitative studies, little qualitative research has been conducted on the topic weight loss maintenance. This study used six focus groups explore which factors promoted or prevented maintaining among diverse, urban population. Eligible participants were those who had intentionally lost ≥10% their body in past 2 years and categorized as either "regainers" "maintainers" using self-reported length maintenance amount (%) regained. Regainers regained ≥33% maintainers ≤15%. Participants (n=29) predominantly African-American (58.6%) females (65.6%) with mean age 46.9±11.2 years. Four themes reflected similarities between regainers maintainers, four differences groups. Both experienced lapses, clothing fit for feedback status, desired greater support during maintenance, decreased self-monitoring food intake over time. When compared regainers, more often continued strategies loss, weighed themselves regularly, productive problem-solving skills positive self-talk. difficulty independently continuing exercise behaviors identifying accountability waning motivation barriers. These findings suggest that efforts can be improved by addressing challenges such long-term skills, success might depend how people think much what they do.