Re-orientating dietetic interventions for adults with eating and weight concerns: A qualitative study of the Well Now course – Part 1

Abstract

This research examines the impact of attending a Well Now course on participants’ wellbeing and contrasts this with their reports of previous experiences of seeking support with weight concerns. The Well Now course teaches health-gain and body respect. As such, it offers people a way of making sense of their experiences around food and eating that is premised on criticality, compassion and respect. This is the first of two articles discussing research findings. This was a qualitative, community-based study using semi-structured interviews and focus groups. The participants were women and men who had completed a 6 session Well Now course. Interviews and focus groups were recorded and transcribed verbatim and data were manually sorted. Coding categories were developed and participants’ quotes were assigned to these using thematic analysis. The study had ethics approval*. Participants described how engaging with the Well Now philosophy in a supportive group had beneficially impacted their health and sense of self-worth. The reorientation made available through Well Now enhanced psychosocial variables and behaviours known to impact on health, such as mood, self-esteem, eating/exercise habits and interpersonal relationships. They recounted instances where recommendations to follow a weight-corrective approach, and attendant size bias seen in health practitioner’s attitudes, had had a detrimental impact on their wellbeing and sense of self-worth. A professional commitment to socio-politically aware practice is recommended as a means of advancing equity, helping people heal from body shame and meeting our ethical responsibilities as health practitioners.