Recruiting young women to weight management programs: Barriers and enablers

Abstract

Aim Recruiting young women to weight management research programs is difficult. The purpose of this study was to gain insights into the barriers and motivators that influence participation and to explore effective methods of recruitment from the perspective of young women with obesity living in both urban and regional areas. Methods Semi‐structured interviews were used to elicit information from focus groups. The interviews were transcribed, coded and analysed qualitatively. Eight focus groups, which included a total of 27 women, were conducted. Participants had a mean age of 29.1 (±5.1) years and a mean body mass index of 35.8 (±2.9) kg/m2. Results The barriers to participation were multifaceted and largely similar across urban and regional participants. Fear of judgement and uncertainty about the process were major psychosocial barriers. A lack of tailoring of program content was an important program‐related barrier. Physical barriers such as time commitment, cost and access were discussed extensively, particularly in urban groups. The provision of incentives and the use of positive language that focusses on the benefits of the intervention were viewed positively. Physical and virtual methods of recruitment were identified as potentially effective provided they were presented in media that this group is likely to use and can access in a private location. Conclusions The results of this study provide a greater understanding of the challenges faced by young women in relation to participation in weight management programs and some of the potential methods that could be utilised to facilitate participation.

Generational change in nutrition and dietetics: The millennial dietitian

“…Boswell et al report that a mixture of online methods (website, email and/or Facebook group) is most preferred for receiving information and intervention for fussy eating by parents, with face to face being the least preferred . Crino et al also describe that women favour online methods for advertising and recruitment for weight management trials . Athletes equally prefer the internet and dietitians as their nutrition information source .…”

“…The risks and limitations of using social media and the internet for communicating health information and delivering interventions are established in the literature and are reiterated throughout this issue. These include concerns about privacy and data security, copyright infringements and loss of professional image when used for work purposes . Quality, reliability and trustworthiness of information are other issues .…”

“…12 Crino et al also describe that women favour online methods for advertising and recruitment for weight management trials. 13 Athletes equally prefer the internet and dietitians as their nutrition information source. 8 With this in mind, the findings by Probst and Peng that only a third of Australian dietitians use social media professionally demonstrate a disconnect between what consumers want and what professionals are providing.…”

“…This issue of Nutrition & Dietetics explores the challenges and opportunities that our modern world presents for the profession and how we can appreciate and respond to generational differences. It includes papers that report on research about technology in health-care, 5-7 communicating health information, [8][9][10][11] health and nutrition interventions [12][13][14][15][16] and education. 17,18 In addition, other reports in this issue from the international context add to the discussion.…”

Effects of Intervention Characteristics on Willingness to Initiate a Weight Gain Prevention Program

“…Interest in starting a weight gain prevention program may also be affected by the presence of financial incentives. Within weight loss programs, there is indication that the possibility of financial incentives could increase interest in joining a weight loss program 35,36 and result in greater weight loss. 37,38 To our knowledge, however, no studies have directly compared programs with and without the possibility of financial incentives with regard to individuals' willingness to initiate these programs.…”