title: Facilitators and barriers to weight loss and weight loss maintenance: a qualitative exploration.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study aimed to explore facilitators and barriers to weight loss (WL) and weight loss maintenance (WLM) in women who participated in a primary, 18-week comparative trial that promoted WL with an energy-restricted diet.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three women participated in seven focus groups conducted by a moderator and co-facilitator using open-ended questions and probes. Focus groups were held in a private room and audio tape-recorded. Tapes were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was used to evaluate transcripts for common themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Accountability to others, social support, planning ahead, awareness and mindfulness of food choices, basic nutrition education, portion control, exercise, and self-motivation were perceived as key facilitators for WL and WLM by women. Identified barriers included life transitions, health status changes, internal factors, environmental pressures, lack of accountability and an absence of social support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future interventions should address these salient facilitators and barriers to promote sustainable changes in women across their WL and WLM journeys.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, The University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Metzgar
authors.affiliation: The Hershey Company, Hershey, PA, USA.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Preston
authors.affiliation: The Hershey Company, Hershey, PA, USA.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, The University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Nickols-Richardson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D031204:Caloric Restriction / Q000523:psychology*; D002755:Choice Behavior; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation / Q000502:physiology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: qualitative study; weight loss; weight loss maintenance; women