Table 3 Summary of factors favoring treatment initiation and favoring non-initiation included in Anticipated Effectiveness of Treatment theme
Both Initiators and Non-initiators | Initiators only | Non-Initiators only | Representative Quote | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Treatment’s content addresses needs | Favors initiation • Offers behavioral strategies • Offers nutritional information | Favors initiation • Physical activity not a major focus • Offers individualized information | Favors initiation • Offers a focus on physical activity Favors non-initiation • Content would not be individualized or relevant to them • Would not offer anything new | “I live alone, I’m not taking care of family, and I’m not cooking for other people. If 70 to 80% of the time in the group was dealing with strategies for scheduling things, that would not be good for me.” (Non-initiator) |
Treatment’s social aspects enhance perceived effectiveness | Favors initiation • Group or leader: ○ provides support/affirmation ○ provides accountability ○ provides learning opportunities • Group provides competition | NA | NA | “Walking in and seeing and talking to those ladies that are there and getting on that scale and they always say ‘remember you don’t always have to get on the scale.’ [I say:] ‘Yes I do.’ That’s the part I need is that check-in once a week.” (Initiator) |
Evaluation of evidence for effectiveness | Favoring initiation • Has scientific evidence base • Treatment recommendation from trusted health care provider • Learning of others having success with treatment • Personal past poor outcomes of weight loss efforts without treatment | Favoring initiation • Longevity of treatment’s existence enhance credibility claims • Past personal success with treatment | Favoring initiation • Evidence from credible source. • Offering a trial period to evaluate effectiveness Favoring non-initiation • Skepticism of evidence for effectiveness • Learning of others having poor outcomes with treatment • Past personal experience of poor outcomes with treatment. • Past success with weight loss without treatment | “I trust her (my doctor) with my life, and I go to her, and she checks my insides and helps me when I am sick get better. So, I would [go to weight loss treatment] if she asked or suggested it and gives me a program. Evidently she has done enough to know enough and practiced enough to know what might be good for me.” (Non-initiator). |