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Partner Facilitation and Partner Interference in Individuals' Weight Loss Goals
Jennifer A Theiss1, Amanda M Carpenter2, John Leustek2
1Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA jtheiss@rutgers.edu.
Romantic partners significantly impact weight loss journeys. This study found partners can help through support and shared activities, but also hinder goals via poor food choices or discouragement.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Relationship Science
Background:
- Romantic relationships play a crucial role in individual well-being and behavior change.
- Understanding relational dynamics is key to addressing health behaviors like weight management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how romantic partners facilitate and interfere with weight loss goals.
- To identify specific themes of partner support and hindrance in weight loss efforts.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative content analysis was performed on participant descriptions.
- 122 participants reported on their partner's influence on weight loss over two months.
- The study examined themes related to partner facilitation and interference.
Main Results:
- Seven themes of partner facilitation emerged: enabling diet/exercise, motivation, emotional support, and relationship priorities.
- Four themes of partner interference were identified: meal planning issues, food environment control, exercise discouragement, and emotional/relational discouragement.
Conclusions:
- Romantic partners can be significant facilitators or interferers in weight loss.
- Interventions aiming to support weight loss should consider the partner's role.
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