Subjective experiences of change post weight loss surgery
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A qualitative study exploring the subjective experiences of change post weight-loss surgery.
IRAS ID
262322
Contact name
Barbara Mason
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Hertfordshire
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 1 days
Research summary
The prevalence of obesity has risen rapidly in recent years (WHO, 2016). With obesity, come challenges for mental and physical health; as well as considerable social discrimination and stigma and so understanding and reducing obesity is important (Gatineau & Dent 2011, Pull & Brownell, 2011 & Guh, Zhang & Bansback, 2009).
Weight loss surgery is currently the primary treatment for persistent morbid obesity but has variable outcomes (UK Bariatric Surgery Registry, 2014). Research has suggested that behaviour change and support are key factors for successful weight loss maintenance. There is a lack of consensus on how some patients successfully change their health behaviours alongside weight loss surgery, whilst others do not (Wimmelmann, Dela & Mortensen, 2013). Research suggests that how individuals conceptualise their health behaviour and it's anticipated consequences play a key role in whether change is achieved. Beliefs informing health behaviour are seen to be influenced by close others and social norms making the social relations around health behaviour change of interest (Ajzen, 1985 & Sarafino,2006).
This study is phase two of a longitudinal piece of research seeking to add to the understanding of health behaviour change in the context of bariatric surgery by exploring patients experiences of change following surgery and how this may be influenced by the interactions with people around them and how their expectations change over time following surgery.
Participants will be adults, aged 18 or over who have received bariatric surgery with the Obesity Service at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital.
Qualitative interviews will be undertaken with 20 participants between 12 to 30 months post-surgery. Interviews will take approximately 1.5 hours. Interviews with participants who consented to follow-up contact after phase 1 of the research will provide a longitudinal perspective of change over time.
A thematic analysis will be used to analyse the interviews. Data collection will take place over a 10- month period.
REC name
East of England - Essex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/EE/0306
Date of REC Opinion
21 Oct 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion