title: Clients' experiences of a community based lifestyle modification program: a qualitative study.
abstract: There is little information about how clients attending lifestyle modification programs view the outcomes. This qualitative study examined the clients' experience of a community based lifestyle modification program in Hong Kong. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 clients attending the program. Clients perceived the program had positive impacts on their health and nutrition knowledge. They experienced frustration, negative emotion, lack of motivation, and pressure from others during the program. Working environment and lack of healthy food choices in restaurants were the major perceived environmental barriers for lifestyle modification. Clients valued nutritionists' capability of providing professional information and psychological support in the program. Our results suggest that nutritionist's capability of providing quality consultations and patient-centered care are important for empowering clients achieve lifestyle modification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. ruthchansm@cuhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: Ruth S M
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Kris Y W
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Lok
authors.forename: Mandy M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Sea
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Woo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003153:Community Health Services; D004032:Diet; D004644:Emotions; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult