Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Health Education and Promotion

Advisor

Summer Parrott

Abstract

The obesity epidemic continues to be a public health crisis in the United States. The number of obese middle-aged women has risen dramatically over the past few decades. Despite multiple levels of support available, not all women are receiving the support they need to reduce overweight/obesity, as evidenced by the continuing rise in obesity. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, this study examined middle-aged women's views on exercising, eating healthily, and social support in online weight-loss communities. For this study, the health belief model (HBM) and social learning theory (SLT) were used as conceptual frameworks to understand a person's behavioral intentions (HBM) and how they might be influenced by the behavior of others (SLT). The recruitment of participants who met the inclusion criteria was based on purposeful sampling. Fifteen virtual semi structured interviews were conducted, recorded, and transcribed in order to identify categories and themes; when saturation was achieved, data collection was completed. Participants in an online weight-loss community between the ages of 40 and 58 years were interviewed via virtual interviews. There were 10 emergent themes identified by using Dedoose software to analyze the data. Both narrative and thematic analysis were used to analyze data from the transcripts. Exercise, nutrition, and personal support in their community influenced their decisions and actions for reducing overweight/obesity. Identifying additional strategies for programming that are specific to this age group could contribute to positive social change through the outcomes of this study. With the support of others, reducing obesity can improve overall health and lead to positive social change.

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