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Dietary Changes, Motivators, and Barriers Affecting Diet and Physical Activity among Overweight and Obese: A Mixed Methods Approach

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  • Merete Hagen Helland

    (Department of Education and Sports Science, University of Stavanger, 4021 Stavanger, Norway)

  • Gerd Lise Nordbotten

    (Department of Education and Sports Science, University of Stavanger, 4021 Stavanger, Norway)

Abstract

The aims of this study were to examine (1) effects of nutritional guidance and physical activity on dietary habits among overweight and obese after an intervention and one year after follow-up (quantitative study) and (2) barriers and motivators for changes in diet and physical activity (qualitative study). A total of 98 participants with a mean age of 46.8 ± 10.2 years were included and divided into a Training Group (TG) (n = 51) or a Nutritional Guidance and Training Group (NTG) (n = 47). At baseline, after 33 weeks, and one year after the intervention, participants answered a questionnaire. Interviews gave data to elicit motivations and challenges related to diet and exercise. A GLM repeated measures analysis was used to investigate differences and interactions between factors. Participants ate healthier after starting to exercise. After 33 weeks, the NTG ate significantly more vegetables ( p = 0.026) and legumes ( p < 0.01) than the TG. No significant differences were found one year after follow-up. General health was the most important motivator for changing diet and exercise. Barriers to changing diet were related to work, family, meal size, and participants’ internal decisions to change habits. Barriers to exercise were holidays and time constraints. Planning purchases and regular exercise were important factors to achieve and maintain weight loss.

Suggested Citation

  • Merete Hagen Helland & Gerd Lise Nordbotten, 2021. "Dietary Changes, Motivators, and Barriers Affecting Diet and Physical Activity among Overweight and Obese: A Mixed Methods Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:20:p:10582-:d:652717
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Margaret C. Campbell & Caleb Warren, 2015. "The Progress Bias in Goal Pursuit: When One Step Forward Seems Larger than One Step Back," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 41(5), pages 1316-1331.
    2. Pedersen, Susanne & Sniehotta, Falko F. & Sainsbury, Kirby & Evans, Elizabeth H. & Marques, Marta M. & Stubbs, R. James & Heitmann, Berit L. & Lähteenmäki, Liisa, 2018. "The complexity of self-regulating food intake in weight loss maintenance. A qualitative study among short- and long-term weight loss maintainers," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 18-24.
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