Céspedes Lissette M, Driscoll Alexis M, Shah Ashani, Doshi Dhvani
Internal Medicine, Rutgers University New Jersey Medical School, Newark, USA.
Cureus. 2025 May 8;17(5):e83719. doi: 10.7759/cureus.83719. eCollection 2025 May.
Objective Obesity is an epidemic in US inner-city minority communities, which experience disproportionately higher rates of obesity and its preventable complications. There is limited published literature regarding weight management programs, particularly among inner-city academic centers caring for underserved patients. The primary purpose of this study was to improve our understanding of the patient experience with obesity by exploring the weight management journey, including barriers and facilitators for weight loss in patients seeking medical treatment for obesity at an inner-city, academic weight management center. Methods Three focus groups were conducted using a semi-structured discussion guide and qualitative study design. Participants, 18 years and older, were recruited from a single inner-city weight management program. A total of 18 participants attended one of three total focus groups. An interview guide was designed and utilized to elicit the experience of inner-city adult patients in the areas of their personal weight journey, where these patients obtain information about nutrition and physical activity, and which interventions participants would find most helpful to achieve successful weight loss. Investigators identified recurring themes from transcripts and coded remarks to themes from within and across the focus groups. Results Family support and personal motivation were important themes contributing to weight loss, while cost and time were significant barriers. Participants reported that the internet was their main source of information about weight management, which was supported by advice given by their physician or nutritionist. The primary intervention that participants recommended was improved accountability through support groups as part of a weight management program. Conclusions The findings of our qualitative research study highlight specific aspects of weight management which most highly affect weight journeys, including factors such as family support, the need for accountability, and challenges such as food, time, and mental health stressors, in turn allowing providers to prioritize these aspects when treating and guiding patients in weight management programs. These findings also provide important information to the leadership of weight management programs to guide future interventions; our institution aims to incorporate peer-led support groups to enhance accountability and communication with providers.
目的 肥胖在美国城市中心的少数族裔社区中呈流行态势，这些社区肥胖率及其可预防并发症的发生率高得不成比例。关于体重管理项目的已发表文献有限，尤其是在为服务不足患者提供护理的城市中心学术机构中。本研究的主要目的是通过探索体重管理历程，包括在城市中心学术性体重管理中心寻求肥胖治疗的患者体重减轻的障碍和促进因素，来增进我们对肥胖患者体验的理解。方法 使用半结构化讨论指南和定性研究设计进行了三个焦点小组讨论。参与者年龄在18岁及以上，从一个城市中心体重管理项目中招募。共有18名参与者参加了三个焦点小组中的一个。设计并使用了一份访谈指南，以了解城市中心成年患者在其个人体重历程、获取营养和身体活动信息的途径以及参与者认为对成功减肥最有帮助的干预措施等方面的体验。研究人员从转录本中识别出反复出现的主题，并将评论编码为焦点小组内部和之间的主题。结果 家庭支持和个人动力是有助于减肥的重要主题，而成本和时间是重大障碍。参与者报告称，互联网是他们获取体重管理信息的主要来源，医生或营养师提供的建议也对此起到了支持作用。参与者推荐的主要干预措施是通过作为体重管理项目一部分的支持小组来提高责任感。结论 我们定性研究的结果突出了体重管理中对体重历程影响最大的具体方面，包括家庭支持、责任感需求等因素，以及食物、时间和心理健康压力源等挑战，这反过来使提供者在体重管理项目中治疗和指导患者时能够优先考虑这些方面。这些发现也为体重管理项目的领导层提供了重要信息，以指导未来的干预措施；我们机构旨在纳入同伴主导的支持小组，以增强责任感并改善与提供者的沟通。
