Barriers to and facilitators of weight reduction in young adults with obesity: a qualitative study in an urban setting in Sri Lanka
Objectives This study explored the barriers to and facilitators of weight reduction among urban, young adults with obesity in Sri Lanka.Design A qualitative descriptive study, using the framework method in thematic analysis to identify key themes for barriers and facilitators.Setting An urban commun...
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| Format: | Article |
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BMJ Publishing Group
2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMJ Open |
| Online Access: | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/7/e087517.full |
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| author | Thamara Amarasekara Ranil Jayawardena Sudharshani Wasalathanthri Gayani Priyangika Gamage Priyadarshika Hettiarachchi |
| author_facet | Thamara Amarasekara Ranil Jayawardena Sudharshani Wasalathanthri Gayani Priyangika Gamage Priyadarshika Hettiarachchi |
| author_sort | Thamara Amarasekara |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives This study explored the barriers to and facilitators of weight reduction among urban, young adults with obesity in Sri Lanka.Design A qualitative descriptive study, using the framework method in thematic analysis to identify key themes for barriers and facilitators.Setting An urban community setting in Sri Lanka in January–March 2022.Participants 62 young adults (18–35 years) with obesity (body mass index ≥25 kgm-2) representing different socio-demographic characteristics were recruited into the focus group discussions (n=10).Results The majority of participants were women (n=40; 64.5%). More than 70% (n=45) of the participants were classified as having class I obesity. Inconsistent knowledge, emotions and mood, poor self-control, inadequate support from others, lack of time, lack of resources and facilities and unsafe environment for physical activities were the identified barriers. The desire to improve appearance and body image, health-related concerns, limitations to day-to-day activities, previous positive experiences, support from others and weight-related victimisation were identified as facilitators.Conclusions A multitude of factors were found to interfere with weight-reduction attempts. Due consideration of these barriers and facilitators is important when planning weight management programmes targeting young adults with obesity. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-85c8c6a224564297bb9f588703e92fef |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2044-6055 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMJ Open |
| spelling | doaj-art-85c8c6a224564297bb9f588703e92fef2025-08-20T03:12:01ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552025-07-0115710.1136/bmjopen-2024-087517Barriers to and facilitators of weight reduction in young adults with obesity: a qualitative study in an urban setting in Sri LankaThamara Amarasekara0Ranil Jayawardena1Sudharshani Wasalathanthri2Gayani Priyangika Gamage3Priyadarshika Hettiarachchi4Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri LankaDepartment of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri LankaDepartment of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri LankaDepartment of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Werahera, Sri LankaDepartment of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri LankaObjectives This study explored the barriers to and facilitators of weight reduction among urban, young adults with obesity in Sri Lanka.Design A qualitative descriptive study, using the framework method in thematic analysis to identify key themes for barriers and facilitators.Setting An urban community setting in Sri Lanka in January–March 2022.Participants 62 young adults (18–35 years) with obesity (body mass index ≥25 kgm-2) representing different socio-demographic characteristics were recruited into the focus group discussions (n=10).Results The majority of participants were women (n=40; 64.5%). More than 70% (n=45) of the participants were classified as having class I obesity. Inconsistent knowledge, emotions and mood, poor self-control, inadequate support from others, lack of time, lack of resources and facilities and unsafe environment for physical activities were the identified barriers. The desire to improve appearance and body image, health-related concerns, limitations to day-to-day activities, previous positive experiences, support from others and weight-related victimisation were identified as facilitators.Conclusions A multitude of factors were found to interfere with weight-reduction attempts. Due consideration of these barriers and facilitators is important when planning weight management programmes targeting young adults with obesity.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/7/e087517.full |
| spellingShingle | Thamara Amarasekara Ranil Jayawardena Sudharshani Wasalathanthri Gayani Priyangika Gamage Priyadarshika Hettiarachchi Barriers to and facilitators of weight reduction in young adults with obesity: a qualitative study in an urban setting in Sri Lanka BMJ Open |
| title | Barriers to and facilitators of weight reduction in young adults with obesity: a qualitative study in an urban setting in Sri Lanka |
| title_full | Barriers to and facilitators of weight reduction in young adults with obesity: a qualitative study in an urban setting in Sri Lanka |
| title_fullStr | Barriers to and facilitators of weight reduction in young adults with obesity: a qualitative study in an urban setting in Sri Lanka |
| title_full_unstemmed | Barriers to and facilitators of weight reduction in young adults with obesity: a qualitative study in an urban setting in Sri Lanka |
| title_short | Barriers to and facilitators of weight reduction in young adults with obesity: a qualitative study in an urban setting in Sri Lanka |
| title_sort | barriers to and facilitators of weight reduction in young adults with obesity a qualitative study in an urban setting in sri lanka |
| url | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/7/e087517.full |
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