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Cognitive and behavioural strategies for self‐directed weight loss: systematic review of qualitative studies
Author(s) -
HartmannBoyce J.,
Boylan A.M.,
Jebb S. A.,
Fletcher B.,
Aveyard P.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
obesity reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.845
H-Index - 162
eISSN - 1467-789X
pISSN - 1467-7881
DOI - 10.1111/obr.12500
Subject(s) - cognitive reframing , weight management , overweight , weight loss , thematic analysis , qualitative research , self management , psychology , cognition , applied psychology , psychological intervention , gerontology , developmental psychology , social psychology , medicine , computer science , obesity , artificial intelligence , sociology , social science , neuroscience , psychiatry
Summary Aim We conducted a systematic review of qualitative studies to examine the strategies people employ as part of self‐directed weight loss attempts, map these to an existing behaviour change taxonomy and explore attitudes and beliefs surrounding these strategies. Methods Seven electronic databases were searched in December 2015 for qualitative studies in overweight and obese adults attempting to lose weight through behaviour change. We were interested in strategies used by participants in self‐directed efforts to lose weight. Two reviewers extracted data from included studies. Thematic and narrative synthesis techniques were used. Results Thirty one studies, representing over 1,000 participants, were included. Quality of the included studies was mixed. The most commonly covered types of strategies were restrictions, self‐monitoring, scheduling, professional support and weight management aids. With the exception of scheduling, for which participant experiences were predominantly positive, participants' attitudes and beliefs surrounding implementation of these groups of strategies were mixed. Two new groups of strategies were added to the existing taxonomy: reframing and self‐experimentation. Conclusions This review demonstrates that at present, interventions targeting individuals engaged in self‐management of weight do not necessarily reflect lived experiences of self‐directed weight loss.