Contact Information

Any questions concerning participation in this research may be answered by Brenda Kieffer. She may be contacted at 636-239-5588 or 314-808-2382 or by email: obesitystudy@yhti.net.

Thank you for your time and consideration!

STEPS IN DATA COLLECTION

Abstract

1.  The purpose of this research will be to examine the experience of obesity, weight loss and weight loss treatment on the formerly obese individual and his or her partner.  Secondly, the study seeks to identify how particular problems and or strengths affect the couple relationship and weight management.  Increasing public and professional understanding of the individual and his or her partner before, during, and after weight loss of the obese person, will provide information and will enhance treatment of the obesity epidemic.  2. This research will take place in a private office setting where participants will engage in interviews with the Principal Investigator.  3. The participants will consist of a maximum of 8 couples, within the age range of 18 to 75, in which one partner was formerly obese (referred to as primary participant), with a non-obese partner (referred to as partner participant).  The dyad must describe themselves as a couple who have been together for at least three years.  Generally, the diagnosis of obesity is derived through the use of Body Mass Index (BMI) (Appendix 20) calculations.  According to the BMI, obesity is defined as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters, equal to or greater than 30.  A waist circumference greater than 40 inches for men or 35 inches for women also puts a person in the obese category (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2000). 4a. Major inclusion criterion for the primary participant includes: A history of a BMI to be 30 or above, successful participation in a weight loss program, (physician recommended, commercial program or self-prescribed), and may include any or all of the following: use of over-the-counter products, exercise, and/or dieting. The primary participant must have reached a BMI of at least 30 or above within the past three years.  He or she must have experienced reaching 50% of their goal BMI.  The goal BMI will be defined by the participant. The Principal Investigator will use a standardized BMI height and weight chart.  The waist circumference will not be measured.  This may feel intrusive and cause the participants to feel less comfortable during the interviews.   Major inclusion criteria for the partner participant includes: The partner must be within the normal Body Mass Index Weight range of 18.5 and 24.9.  This will be determined by using the BMI standardized chart and no waist measurement.  The Partner Participant must be willing to participate in all of the research.   4b. Major exclusion criterion for the primary (obese) participant is a history of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or any other eating disorders. Major exclusion criterion for the partner participant includes a history of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or any other eating disorder diagnosis.  Partner participants having a past history of a BMI over 30 will not be excluded from the study, as long as they are now within the normal BMI weight. Exclusion criteria for the dyads, is unwillingness to participate at any time in the study, the couple is experiencing relationship discord or has had excessive stress, as defined by at least one of the participants in the telephone interview (Appendix 5).  5. Participant couples will engage in both joint and one-on-one semi-structured interviews audio-recorded by the principal investigator. They will also participate in drawing a family genogram, and use personal photographs representative of their weight history. The participants will also be encouraged, but not required, to write journal entries on his or her thoughts about topics discussed during the interviews and any other feelings, emotions and experiences he or she wishes to share related to his or her experience with obesity and weight loss both as individuals and in their relationship as a couple. The investigator will observe their behavioral interactions as a couple during the interview sessions and include these in the data collected.  6. The variables investigated will include the experience of being obese, the experience of weight loss, the experience of weight gain and loss as an individual or as a couple and the effects of obesity and weight loss on his or her relationship. It is anticipated that the maximum participation time for each participant/dyad will be a maximum of 4 hours divided into two scheduled interviews, completing questionnaires and three phone calls.  The amount of time spent journaling will be at each participant’s discretion.  The study is expected to be completed in 2 to 3 months.   7. There will be no major risks to the participants or society in conducting this study.  Minor risks include the possible loss of confidentiality.  Whenever participants are asked to recount issues concerning their weight and how it may have affected their relationship, it is possible the interview questions may give rise to intense emotions   8. a) Participants may benefit by better understanding their experiences and actually feel closer after telling their stories.  The semi-structured interviews and instruments may facilitate communication about changes in weight between the primary participant and his or her partner participant. b) The benefit to society will be to fill the void in understanding the problems and concerns inherent in being obese and losing weight and how marital relationships both affect and are affected by the experience of being obese and losing weight, along with maintenance of that weight loss. Armed with a more in-depth understanding, the hope is that counselors, educators, and mental health professionals will be better able to prepare and strengthen the individual’s and couples’ relationship during weight loss treatment and help them face the challenges that may occur during the treatment.  The Principal Investigator hopes to publish the results of the study as a contribution to scholarship and to disseminate the results more broadly.  9. Confidentiality of participants will be maintained through a coding system that will match participants with his or her audio taped interview sessions, questionnaires and journal entries.  The PI will not use personal names or other recognizable identifiers. All data collected will be stored in locked file cabinets within a locked private office with security alarms.  All data will be destroyed at the conclusion of the study.