Obese young people's accounts of intervention impact

To uncover in-depth qualitative accounts of intervention impact from obese young people during a period of lifestyle change after attending a residential weight-loss camp.

An innovative, progressively focused process of (1) single end-of-stay interviews, (2) interviews repeated in the home environment at 3 months and (3) 9 months. Comprehensive data were collected from five information-rich cases who contributed at each stage. Verbatim transcripts were analysed to identify issues associated with camp impact.

Reporting positive in-camp experiences, there were also anxieties about returning home and successfully translating knowledge and behaviors into longer term strategies. Inductive analysis suggested cognitive ambiguity in relation to positive camp impact. This developed and intensified over the 9 months of post-camp experience, despite the help of supportive others.

Young people described a positive post-camp impact that continued into the home environment. Unexpectedly, though it was also an ambiguous experience. Cognitive ambiguity created behavioral conflict which undermined motivation for sustained healthy living.

These unique accounts enable service providers to better understand post-camp experiences and use them to work with young people towards more positive outcomes. Even after intensive and successful intervention young people may still require ongoing support for continued lifestyle change.