Weight-management: understanding services and public needs to inform future programme development

This involved: a) Systematically mapping obesity-related policy actions/services for adults in NI using the Behaviour Change Wheel b) Investigating public views about obesity and regarding experiences of weight stigma/discrimination in adults; c) Exploring public perceptions relating to obesity policies/personal experiences of maintaining a healthy weight in adults, involving a qualitative framework analysis of barriers and enablers; d) Quantitatively assessing the weight management preferences of NI adults living with obesity including priorities for future programme development and; e) Conducting Personal and Public Involvement activities with adults with lived experience of overweight/obesity in NI to aid the future development of a weight management intervention.<br><br>This research highlighted that obesity services were largely prevention-focused with an over-reliance on education.

Development of weight management options are recommended within a flexible obesity-care pathway. The prevalence of weight stigma/discrimination on the Island of Ireland, suggested that targeted education about the causes of obesity to reduce weight stigma in society is warranted. Distilling the PhD findings along with PPI representatives helped create a strong basis to develop a future weight management intervention for adults, informed by formative research relevant to the UK/NI obesity context.<br>