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Yang, Cho, and Lee: Patterns of Health Behavior for Weight Loss among Adults Using Obesity Clinics
Original Article
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing

Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2012; 42(5): 759-770.

Published online: 31 October 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2012.42.5.759

Patterns of Health Behavior for Weight Loss among Adults Using Obesity Clinics

Jin-Hyang Yang1, Myung-Ok Cho2, Kayoung Lee3

1Department of Nursing, Institute for Health Science Research, Inje University, Busan, Korea.

2Department of Nursing, Dongeui University, Busan, Korea.

3Department of Family Medicine, Inje University Pusan Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Busan, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Yang, Jin-Hyang. Department of Nursing, Inje University, 633-165 Gaegum-dong, Busanjingu, Busan 614-735, Korea. Tel: +82-51-890-6839, Fax: +82-51-896-9840, jhyang@inje.ac.kr

Received 30 January 2012       Accepted 28 September 2012

© 2012 Korean Society of Nursing Science

Abstract

Purpose

This ethnography was done to explore patterns of weight management behavior among adults using obesity clinics.

Methods

The participants were 12 adults who were overweight or obese and 2 family members. Data were collected from iterative fieldwork in the obesity clinics of two hospitals. Data were analyzed using text analysis and taxonomic methods.

Results

Weight management behaviors among participants varied according to the recognition of the body and motivation for weight control, Participants' behavior was discussed in the socio-cultural context of obesity. Patterns of weight management behavior among participants were categorized by focus: strategic self-oriented type including managements for the body as a social asset and for health, selective neglect type, and passive group value-oriented type including type dependent on others and managements for beauty.

Conclusion

Participants' weight management behavior was guided by folk concepts of body and health. and constructed within the socio-cultural context. It is necessary for health care providers to understand physical and psychological problems arising from the repeated trials, excessive control of weight, and Western cultural discourse on beauty ideals among adults who are overweight or obese. Therefore, interventions should be tailored to address individual and community needs.

Keywords: Ethnography, Health behavior, Weight loss, Obesity

Notes

This work was supported by the 2011 Inje University Research Grant.

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