Title of research
An exploratory investigation into experiences of weight loss management practices, including weight loss surgery from a UK perspective
Institution
University of Plymouth
Name of lead investigator
Professor Jonathan Pinkney
Research funded by
University of Plymouth
Who to contact
Mrs Julie Parsons
Email: weightlossmanagementresearch@gmail.com
Recruiting until
September 2013
Total number of participants needed
30
Who can and cannot take part?
Participants must be aged 18 or over with experience of trying to lose weight and/or diabetes. People who are currently managing an eating disorder are not eligible to take part.
What is the research about?
Losing weight is increasingly seen as an important aim for people with Type 2 diabetes and different strategies for weight loss are increasingly offered as treatments. However, the acceptability of these strategies (including invasive weight loss surgeries) from the perspective of people with diabetes has received little attention.
This study will use a short questionnaire and an online or telephone interview to explore experiences, attitudes and opinions of different weight loss strategies among people with diabetes. In particular, the researchers would like a better understanding of why people do or do not consider weight loss surgery and would like to learn from people’s experiences of weight loss surgery (and other weight loss strategies) and their perspectives on the support offered afterwards.
How will it benefit people with diabetes?
Findings from this work will help the researchers to develop larger studies to investigate the long term effects of weight loss surgery in people with Type 2 diabetes. Ultimately this should help to bring about long-term improvement in treatment options for people who undergoing weight loss surgery or other weight loss strategies, and improve the long-term care and support of people who have previously undergone weight loss surgery. The information obtained will also be communicated to weight loss surgery and weight loss support groups.
What will taking part involve for participants?
Participants will be interviewed by email (or over the phone if preferred), with questions focusing on their personal experiences of weight loss practices in the UK, both past and present. During the interview participants will be asked to identify issues that are of particular importance to them.
What are the risks involved in taking part?
The information obtained by the researchers will be made anonymous when their work is published. Participant’s names and contact information will be kept strictly confidential. Participants can withdraw from the study at any time for any reason by contacting the researcher.