Weight loss challenges and facilitators in adult Maltese women

Abstract

Background: Adult obesity and overweight prevalence are high both globally and locally. Recent prevalence data reported 31.3% of Maltese women as being obese while 31.8% were overweight. The causes of obesity are complex and multifactorial making obesity management more problematic. The overall aims of this study were to investigate the main challenges and facilitators for weight management in adult Maltese women. Method: An adapted, translated and anonymised quantitative survey was shared on local media targeting adult Maltese females aged 18-65 years during the period November to December 2020. The questionnaire addressed: weight loss (WL) strategies utilised; WL influences; barriers to WL using close-ended question style and overall suggestions for developing weight loss programmes (WLP) using open-ended questions. The results were then analysed statistically using the SPSS software (IBM, version 27). Data analysis included Chi- squared, Friedman and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: 193 respondents returned the survey. The majority (n=93,48.2%) were aged between 18-29 years old, over half had a tertiary level of education (n=112,58%) and with a median Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25.27kg/m2. The three most commonly utilised weight loss methods were ‘calorie controlled’ (n=129,66.8%), ‘fasting’ (n=61,31.6%) and the ‘Mediterranean diet (based on local dietary guidelines)’ (n=51,26.4%). Respondents thought that: ‘drinking more water’; ‘consuming smaller food portions’; and ‘removing sweetened products’ helped them with their WL whereas being abroad or being sad or stressed did not (mean rating scores [MRS]: 4.19,4.13,4.11,3.97,3.90 respectively). Respondents highlighted the main barriers to exercise as: ‘lack of motivation’; and ‘finding it difficult to stick with routine’ (MRS: 3.24 and 3.16). Suggestions for WL included: having more educational information available, (n=20, 31.25%) making WL / exercise programmes affordable (n=14,21.88%) and the need for more support (n=7,10.94%). Conclusion: This local study suggests further health information and education is still needed. It also pinpoints issues such as cost, motivation, and mental wellbeing which need to be further addressed. Finding ways for implementing these results to provide more effective and sustainable WLP are encouraged.