1. Response to being informed of weight status and body fat composition. Understandings, reactions and motivatio to achieve a healthy weight
The most important preventable cause of cancer in non-smokers is excess body weight. Knowing one’s weight status and the health-related risks of obesity/overweight may motivate some people to lose weight but response to learning weight status is poorly understood. In order to target advice to the two thirds of British adults who are overweight or obese more effectively it is important to investigate response to the terms ‘overweight’ and ‘obese’; in particular whether being told weight status is motivational or demoralising in relation to losing weight.
This project aims to to investigate response to terms such as ‘overweight’ and ‘obese’ in relation to motivation to lose weight. It will answer 5 research questions:
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How are terms such as ‘overweight’ and ‘obese’ interpreted and understood in relation to body image and health risk?
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What is the response to being told one’s weight status in relation to self-image and motivation to lose weight (if necessary)?
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Is response affected by information on one’s body fat composition?
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How, if at all, do responses to these questions vary by gender and weight status?
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What are the implications of the above findings for cancer prevention communications concerning overweight/obesity?
The West of Scotland Twenty-07 study is a population-based cohort study designed to investigate social inequalities in health. By September 2008 2300 participants will have completed structured interviews and measurements including height, weight, waist and hip measurements and percentage of body fat; they will also have received written feedback. Sub-sampling from this study offers a unique opportunity to access respondents who have recently been informed that they are overweight, but who may not be motivated to lose weight. The research will therefore be based on personal experiences rather than on hypothetical reasoning.
A qualitative study allows investigation of people’s interpretations and reasoning as well as their behaviours. Sixteen focus group discussions and 16 individual interviews (8 of each with men and women; 4 of each with people of ‘normal’ weight and 12 of each with people who are overweight/obese) are being conducted and transcribed. Analysis will focus on answering the research questions, but with attention to unanticipated issues that arise. All analyses will focus on difference or similarity in accounts between people of ‘normal’ weight status compared to those who are overweight/obese, and to possible differences between men and women. Careful timetabling, good management and an advisory group will lead to the implications of the research for cancer prevention communications about obesity and risk being quickly available and widely disseminated.
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