The experience of menopausal women participating in weight management program: A pilot study

Menopause is the transitional period of women transforming from middle age to old age, and often associated with obesity. Adequate weight control (ideal body weight maintenance) is an important issue for women's health. However, little is known about the experience of Taiwanese women participating in weight management programs.

The current weight management program referred to the participation and completion of a 10 h weight management program (the course of 5 weeks, 2 h per week) at a community hospital in 2016 entrusted by the government in Taiwan. Using the descriptive phenomenological research method, purposive sampling, and a semi-structured interview guide, to conduct one-on-one in-depth interviews with menopausal women, did analyses.

Between August and September 2016, there were 71 subjects entering into the current study, with a median age of 56 (51-60) years. The median weight reduction was 0.6 kg at the end of the course but all were satisfied with it. There were four experiences detectable in the current study, including initial benefits from weight management programs, the difficulty in facing changes, adjustments, and a better body image.

Belief (for better health and body figure) and assistance (for change) were important issues in weight management programs, which can be used as reference for future designs of weight management program in overweight/obese menopausal women.