Obesity Relapse in Women

dc.contributor.authorCaravati, Paula Ciavarellaen
dc.contributor.committeechairHertzler, Ann A.en
dc.contributor.committeememberCox, Ruby Hurleyen
dc.contributor.committeememberWinett, Richard A.en
dc.contributor.committeememberCovert, Roberten
dc.contributor.committeememberSouthard, Douglas R.en
dc.contributor.departmentHuman Nutrition, Foods, and Exerciseen
dc.date.accessioned2014-03-14T20:09:30Zen
dc.date.adate2001-04-18en
dc.date.available2014-03-14T20:09:30Zen
dc.date.issued2001-04-05en
dc.date.rdate2004-04-18en
dc.date.sdate2001-04-13en
dc.description.abstractObesity and relapse after dieting pose a significant threat to an increasing number of adults in this country. Resistance to treatment and high relapse rates make this problem frustrating for patients and practitioners. There is limited research on relapse causation; research on social and life circumstance factors is uncommon. Given the limitations of existing research, the purpose of this study was to investigate the natural course of obesity relapse. A purposive sample of eight obese women, ages 31-57, was selected. All of the women relapsed at least one or more times throughout their lives. A qualitative study design was used to examine and integrate their attributions for relapse. The qualitative paradigm was selected because it allowed for an inclusive study of relapse without confining the investigation to a predetermined set of responses. Information was gathered on contributory factors: physical, social and psychological, but not limited to these areas. These factors were reported in a case study format. Verbatim quotes were used to provide descriptive information and insight into individual cases. Cases were analyzed for main attributions; key words and phrases were used to develop categories. Common themes were derived from these categories and examined across the cases. Conventional wisdom about the factors, which contribute to obesity relapse, was challenged by this research study. Excess calories and decreased physical activity were not the only conditions that were contributory to the respondents' relapses. Diverse social and psychological issues often combined with physical factors to dominate the respondents' attributions. The relapse attribution themes commonly represented in the case studies included: the impact of food restriction, the impact of having personal choice taken away, negative emotions, physiological factors, lifestyle demands and the return to familiar food habits. Based on this study, it is recommended that obesity practitioners consider assessment and treatment modalities that are holistic. A paradigm shift away from traditional approaches may be a necessary step in providing more effective treatment. Additional research, which focuses on life circumstances and obesity relapse, is needed.en
dc.description.degreePh. D.en
dc.identifier.otheretd-04132001-153828en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-04132001-153828/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/26817en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.relation.haspartfinal.pdfen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectObesityen
dc.subjectRelapseen
dc.subjectWomenen
dc.subjectQualitativeen
dc.subjectCase Studiesen
dc.titleObesity Relapse in Womenen
dc.typeDissertationen
thesis.degree.disciplineHuman Nutrition, Foods, and Exerciseen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.leveldoctoralen
thesis.degree.namePh. D.en

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
final.pdf
Size:
564.97 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format