Exploring the experiences of managing and monitoring diet and weight: an IPA analysis

Abstract

Background Obesity is a significant health challenge and rates are rising. This has largely been attributed to an increasingly sedentary lifestyle. Little is known about athletically inclined, versus non athletic individuals’ perceptions, beliefs and experiences of eating and exercise behaviours. Understanding more about these groups is important given the current obesogenic climate. Methods A qualitative, double hermeneutic, idiographic approach was adopted to explore participants’ experiences of managing their weight, eating and exercise habits. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews, and data analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Ten participants were purposively sampled and interviewed to explore the experiences of managing body weight. Four participants considered themselves athletic, two participants had lapsed athletic interests, and four participants were not athletic. Findings Three themes were identified including: ‘perceived barriers’, ‘strategic efforts’ and ‘perceptions of control’. These themes represent the accounts of the balancing act described by participants of managing their eating habits and diet. The findings suggest that non-athletic individuals tend to be driven by weight loss and management whereas athletic individuals tend to be driven by healthy eating. The difference in these motivations shapes how they perceive barriers, and efforts to eat healthily, and the strategies adopted to support their dietary decisions. Therefore encouraging the focus on health rather than weight may be more effective for encouraging healthier lifestyles.