BACKGROUND: Obesity has increased in the entire World in recent decades. The increased incidence has put in doubt the efficacy of weight-control programs; therefore the study of this phenomenon has been focused in psychological reasons that have influence in the response to those programs. The aim of this study was to explore what were the patient's motives in a weight-loss program. METHODS: the qualitative method to analyze the experience was performed. The focus group included ten patients with one investigator as an active observer, and 12 weekly sessions. RESULTS: We identified motives related with aesthetic that could benefit success, and unrealistic expectations that could lead to failure after the strategy was completed. CONCLUSIONS: the encouraging of certain motives could keep success of weight-loss programs. It is needed more qualitative research to support this conclusion and quantitative research to confirm it.
BACKGROUND: Obesity has increased in the entire World in recent decades. The increased incidence has put in doubt the efficacy of weight-control programs; therefore the study of this phenomenon has been focused in psychological reasons that have influence in the response to those programs. The aim of this study was to explore what were the patient's motives in a weight-loss program. METHODS: the qualitative method to analyze the experience was performed. The focus group included ten patients with one investigator as an active observer, and 12 weekly sessions. RESULTS: We identified motives related with aesthetic that could benefit success, and unrealistic expectations that could lead to failure after the strategy was completed. CONCLUSIONS: the encouraging of certain motives could keep success of weight-loss programs. It is needed more qualitative research to support this conclusion and quantitative research to confirm it.