title: Lessons learned: experiences of gaining weight by kidney transplant recipients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Weight gain after kidney transplantation is a widespread phenomenon, but the question of effective strategies to intervene in patterns that lead to weight gain has not been well studied.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To obtain (1) insight into recipients' perceptions of weight gain and (2) information on intervention strategies that recipients think could prevent weight gain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative focus groups and a 13-question, multiple-choice survey were used.
  
  
  METHODS
  A regional mid-South transplant center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven kidney transplant recipients (86% African American, 57% female, mean age 55.0 years) who had gained at least 12% of their total body weight during a 12-month larger observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Content from the focus group sessions was analyzed for major and minor themes. The survey results were analyzed with descriptive statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Identified themes included barriers to healthy eating caused by medications and removal of dietary restrictions. Barriers to physical activity included fear of injuring the new organ and health problems both related and unrelated to transplant. Perceived effects of weight gain included hypertension, diabetes, and embarrassment and concern at the rapid weight gain. Recipients would like an early start to implementation of lifestyle changes. Useful ideas included written materials regarding appropriate physical activities and dietary information, healthy cooking classes, and support groups.
authors.affiliation: University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, USA. astanfi4@uthsc.edu
authors.forename: Ansley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stanfill
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bloodworth
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cashion
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015430:Weight Gain; D055815:Young Adult