Obesity in the Socioeconomically Disadvantaged: A Self-Efficacy Approach to Weight Loss

Abstract

Many adults have the necessary health information to lose weight, but obesity in socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals is compounded by lack of resources that are readily available to aid in their weight loss. A plan of care tailored to their environment and economic status will foster weight control. A quasi-experimental, quality improvement project with one cohort and a pre- and posttest design evaluated the impact of a lifestyle change weight loss program on body mass index of obese adults. The project was conducted in a primary care setting with a total of 26 male and female participants, ages 18 years and older, with a body mass index of 30 and greater. The lifestyle change program incorporated self-efficacy theory and was provided individually to participants. The results showed that a lifestyle change program, which was specific to patients’ desire for weight loss and maintaining the loss, was effective in reducing weight and body mass index while improving self-efficacy. The results indicated that a lifestyle weight loss program could be used in other rural settings with obese individuals to decrease obesity and positively influence health outcomes.