Table 2 Comparison between weight loss experiences in women from Victoria, Australia and women in Nottingham, England
Weight loss perceptions, practices and interactions with health care professionals | Victoria | Nottingham | P-value |
|---|---|---|---|
aN = 281; n(%) | bN = 155; n(%) | ||
Why did you want to lose weight? | |||
To look and feel good | 162 (58.1) | 112 (73.7) | 0.001 |
For a special event | 58 (20.8) | 24 (15.8) | 0.21 |
For my health | 196 (70.3) | 95 (62.5) | 0.10 |
Someone told me to | 12 (4.3) | 6 (3.9) | 0.86 |
Other e.g. wanted to fall pregnant | 21 (7.5) | 6 (3.9) | 0.14 |
Weight loss methods used in the last five years | |||
Decreased calorie intake | 240 (86.3) | 126 (81.8) | 0.21 |
Increased exercise | 236 (84.9) | 105 (68.6) | <0.001 |
Decreased calorie intake and increased exercise | 212 (76.3) | 96 (62.7) | 0.005 |
Weight loss support group e.g. Jenny Craig® or Weight Watchers® | 57 (20.5) | 57 (37.0) | <0.001 |
Decreased calorie intake, increased exercise and weight loss support group | 44 (15.8) | 34 (22.2) | 0.022 |
Meal replacement products e.g. Optifast® | 35 (12.6) | 24 (15.6) | 0.39 |
Pharmacy based program e.g. Tony Ferguson® | 33 (11.9) | 6 (3.9) | 0.006 |
Weight loss medication e.g. Xenical® | 11 (4.0) | 8 (5.2) | 0.55 |
Vitamins/herbal products | 29 (10.4) | 9 (5.8) | 0.11 |
Other e.g. recreational drugs, weight loss surgery | 14 (5.0) | 5 (3.2) | 0.39 |
Time since last weight loss attempt (months) | |||
Median (IQR) | 12 (6–34) | 12 (6–25.5) | 0.83 |
Last place purchased weight loss method | |||
Not applicable | 195 (73.3) | 102 (69.4) | 0.40 |
Supermarket | 8 (3.0) | 16 (10.9) | 0.001 |
Pharmacy | 49 (18.4) | 14 (9.5) | 0.02 |
Other e.g. internet, health food store | 14 (5.3) | 15 (10.2) | 0.06 |
How much weight was wanting to be lost | |||
0-2 kgs | 17 (6.4) | 10 (6.5) | 0.97 |
3-5 kgs | 81 (30.7) | 28 (18.3) | 0.006 |
6-10 kgs | 95 (36.0) | 45 (29.4) | 0.17 |
11-15 kgs | 24 (9.1) | 26 (17.0) | 0.02 |
16-20 kgs | 14 (5.3) | 18 (11.8) | 0.01 |
Over 20 kgs | 33 (12.5) | 26 (17.0) | 0.20 |
How much weight was lost | |||
0-2 kgs | 68 (26.2) | 31 (20.7) | 0.21 |
3-5 kgs | 97 (37.3) | 35 (23.3) | 0.004 |
6-10 kgs | 59 (22.7) | 38 (25.3) | 0.54 |
11-15 kgs | 13 (5.0) | 23 (15.3) | <0.001 |
16-20 kgs | 11 (4.2) | 7 (4.7) | 0.84 |
Over 20 kgs | 12 (4.6) | 18 (10.7) | 0.006 |
Duration of weight loss attempt | |||
0-3 weeks | 21 (8.2) | 16 (10.5) | 0.44 |
1-2 months | 80 (31.3) | 35 (22.9) | 0.07 |
3-5 months | 68 (26.6) | 26 (17.0) | 0.03 |
6-8 months | 39 (15.2) | 30 (19.6) | 0.25 |
9-11 months | 15 (5.9) | 19 (12.4) | 0.02 |
Over 1 year | 33 (12.9) | 27 (17.6) | 0.19 |
Has the weight lost since been regained | |||
Yes | 147 (57.2) | 80 (53.3) | 0.45 |
Health care professional advice during last weight loss attempt | |||
No advice | 182 (67.4) | 126 (82.4) | 0.001 |
Doctor | 45 (16.7) | 9 (5.9) | 0.001 |
Exercise consultant | 19 (7.0) | 9 (5.9) | 0.65 |
Dietitian | 7 (2.6) | 2 (1.3) | 0.38 |
Pharmacist | 23 (8.5) | 5 (3.3) | 0.04 |
Pharmacy assistant | 6 (2.2) | 4 (2.6) | 0.80 |
Other e.g. Weight Watchers® consultant | 15 (5.6) | 5 (3.3) | 0.29 |
Most trusted source for weight management advice | |||
Family/friends | 86 (32.3) | 39 (26.2) | 0.19 |
Internet | 40 (15.0) | 10 (6.8) | 0.01 |
TV/radio | 10 (3.8) | 5 (3.4) | 0.84 |
Exercise consultant | 30 (11.3) | 9 (6.1) | 0.08 |
Health care professional | 143 (53.8) | 24 (16.2) | <0.001 |
No one | 33 (12.4) | 52 (35.1) | <0.001 |
Biggest problems in weight management | |||
No problems | 15 (5.5) | 19 (12.3) | 0.01 |
Lack of motivation | 207 (75.3) | 96 (61.9) | 0.004 |
Lack of support from family/friends | 14 (5.1) | 12 (7.7) | 0.27 |
Lack of time | 169 (61.5) | 70 (45.2) | 0.001 |
Lack of support from HCP | 1 (0.4) | 3 (1.9) | 0.10 |
Cost of product or program | 101 (36.7) | 28 (18.1) | <0.001 |
Currently available products don’t work | 5 (1.8) | 4 (2.6) | 0.60 |
Not enough information | 10 (3.6) | 3 (1.9) | 0.32 |
Side effects | 6 (2.2) | 7 (4.5) | 0.18 |