Date of Graduation
2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
College
Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design
Department
Animal and Nutritional Sciences
Committee Chair
Melissa Ventura-Marra
Committee Co-Chair
Kenneth Blemings
Committee Member
Dina Jones
Abstract
Gender-specific motivators and barriers to adopting healthful diets and losing weight among middle-aged West Virginians Stephanie K. Thompson Background: About 70% of West Virginia adults are overweight and obese. Diet is a modifiable determinant of weight-related conditions. Innovative interventions are needed to help overcome the barriers to prevent and delay chronic conditions. In order to implement an intervention that is needed, learning the motivators and barriers to healthful eating and weight loss is the first step.;Objective: To learn what helps or hinders healthful eating and weight loss among middle-aged adults in West Virginia.;Methods: Gender-specific focus groups were conducted among 45 to 64 years old overweight or obese adults. Participants lived in either Harrison or Marion counties, were married or living with a companion, and had one of the following cardiovascular risk factors: high blood pressure, diabetes, pre-diabetes, high cholesterol, or high triglycerides. The data were analyzed by using a classical analysis approach with comparing the differences between genders by frequency of themes.;Results: Among 30 participants, the primary motivators were health, appearance and physical fitness, and family. The male primary motivators were health, appearance and physical fitness, and internal motivation while the female primary motivators were health, special events, and family and appearance and physical fitness were tied. The primary barriers were time, convenience of unhealthy foods, and temptation. The male primary barriers were time, convenience of unhealthy foods, and lack of self-control. For the females, the primary barriers were time, temptation, and lack of self-control.;Conclusion: Helping individuals learn how to better plan and prepare their meals can help them overcome time barriers. Interventions for males should include education and counseling on making healthful food choices when eating out, while interventions for females could include ways to help them overcome temptation barriers.
Recommended Citation
Thompson, Stephanie K., "Gender-specific motivators and barriers to adopting healthful diets and losing weight among middle-aged West Virginians" (2016). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 6799.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/6799