Towards precision health in weight reduction: thematic content analysis of an open-ended survey on reasons why morbidly obese patients want to lose weight

• Main Authors: Md-Yasin, Mazapuspavina, Ismail, Ilham Ameera, Malek, Khasnur Abd, Yusoff, Khalid, Bulgiba, Awang
• Format: Article
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: R Medicine
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/43402/; https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85128231683&partnerID=40&md5=4c329eefe8c27c2f7ac3b52314b3ae13

Introduction: Addressing motivation to lose weight among morbidly obese patients increases successful weight management outcomes. We aimed to understand the motivations and reasons why morbidly obese patients attending hospital-based weight management programmes wanted to lose weight. Methods: A qualitative thematic content analysis was used to analyse responses from a self-administered open-ended question, "What is the main factor why you want to lose your weight?". A total of 225 new patients attending obesity clinics program run by endocrinologists, dietitians and occupational therapists in two tertiary hospitals in Klang Valley responded to the questionnaire. Results: Patients' mean BMI was 45.6±8.05 kg/m2. Four themes emerged and they are health, function, appearance and perceived stigma. Health, the most commonly inferred theme (84), highlighted concerns over obesity complications and concomitant morbidities, which include infertility, impact on surgical procedures as well as general physical and psychological well-being. Patients regard being functional to care for themselves, family members, religious and career needs as the next most crucial theme (25.8). They relate to the theme appearance (12.9) by wanting to look and feel beautiful. The theme perceived stigmatization recount the time when they were mocked and laughed at for their appearance (3.1). Conclusion: Patients with morbid obesity in this study had expressed their main personal motivational reasons to lose weight. Identifying and addressing these unique personal motivations in a focused approach is vital for health care professionals to manage the complexity of the health, social and psychological needs among patients with morbid obesity. © 2022 UPM Press. All rights reserved.