Experiences of self-monitoring: successes and struggles during treatment for weight loss.
We interviewed 15 individuals who completed a behavioral weight loss treatment study with the aim of exploring participants' reflections on their feelings, attitudes, and behaviors while using a paper diary to self-monitor their diet. Constant comparative and matrix analysis procedures were used to analyze interview data; the qualitative results were then interfaced with descriptive numerical data on individuals' adherence to self-monitoring and weight loss. Three categories of self-monitoring experience were identified: (a) well-disciplined-those who had high adherence to self-monitoring, high weight loss, and a "can do" positive approach, (b) missing the connection-those who had moderate adherence, moderate- to low weight loss, and an "it's an assignment" approach, without integrating self-monitoring into everyday life, and (c) diminished support-those who had poor adherence, poor weight control, and were adversely affected by coexisting negative factors. Given the variations in how individuals integrated the process of self-monitoring, we need to consider individualizing self-monitoring strategies to improve adherence.
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Lora E
LE
Burke
Valerie
V
Swigart
Melanie
M
Warziski Turk
Nicole
N
Derro
Linda J
LJ
Ewing
D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015930:Diet Records; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D015431:Weight Loss