Open AccessApplying Grounded Theory to Weight Management among Women: Making a Commitment to Healthy Eating
Author(s) -
Christie Zunker,
Nataliya V. Ivankova
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the qualitative report
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2160-3715
DOI - 10.46743/2160-3715/2011.1092
Subject(s) - grounded theory , credibility , psychology , weight management , theoretical sampling , eating disorders , axial coding , focus group , coding (social sciences) , social psychology , weight loss , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , qualitative research , obesity , medicine , sociology , social science , political science , anthropology , law
In this study we developed a theory grounded in data from women who continued healthy eating behaviors after a weight management program. Participant recruitment was guided by theoretical sampling strategies for focus groups and individual interviews. Inclusion criteria were: African American or Caucasian women aged 30+ who lost > 5% of their body weight in a weight management program > year ago. Participants > 5% below their baseline weight were maintainers (n = 9); those above were non-maintainers (n = 14). We asked open-ended questions regarding healthy eating behaviors. The systematic design is described in detail, including categories from open coding, connection during axial coding, and integration into a theory, labeled Commitment to Healthy Eating, during selective coding. Procedures for establishing credibility are also included.