Understanding Factors Which Help and Hinder Engagement with Weight Management Interventions and Related Research

Those engaged in healthcare and research within the context of weight management report persistent difficulties with engagement. The aim of the current study was to identify factors which help or hinder engagement in weight loss interventions and associated research. Participants (N = 98) who were currently attempting or had recently attempted to lose weight by a diversity of means (including ‘going it alone’) were recruited through an online platform. Participants were asked to complete an online questionnaire with closed- and open-ended questions assessing the factors which helped and hindered their engagement. The results of the reflexive thematic analysis of open-ended responses generated three themes related to (1) components of the intervention (e.g., goal-setting tools and peer support), (2) commitment influences (e.g., time), and (3) motivational influences (e.g., emotional experiences). Our findings resonate with key components of behaviour change approaches and potentially support their use in the context of improving engagement with weight loss interventions and associated research. Future studies should take inventive approaches to understanding barriers to engagement amongst very disengaged individuals.