Emerson, SamGeist, Caroline2024-11-272024-11-272024-07https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14446/345707Although nearly half of US adults attempted weight loss at least once from 2013-2016, not much is known about the experience of weight loss, especially the difference in experiences between those who achieve and maintain weight loss (WLM) and those who attempt and do not lose weight (WLA). Using a quantitative survey and semi-structured interviews, this study aimed to examine these differences. The responses from nineteen individuals were collected, mostly female (n=13). Quantitative results were measured using a Likert scale (1=Not at all,, 5=Completely) and found that there was no statistical difference in several aspects of the weight loss experience, including perceived change to diet (WLM: 3.6 ± 0.8 au; WLA: 3.5 ± 0.7 au; p=0.66) or perceived change in exercise habits (WLM: 3.8 ± 1.0 au; WLA: 3.2 ± 1.1 au; p=0.13). However, there was a significant difference in perceived difficulty of weight loss (WLM: 3.4 ± 0.7 au; WLA: 1.7 ± 1.0 au; p=0.008). The qualitative results found that themes unique to WLA included dichotomous thinking and restrictive strategies. Both negative (ex. Discouragement and frustration) and positive attitudes (Ex. Feeling hopeful) were present in this group. WLM demonstrated themes of flexible thinking, the ability to form habits, and making small, incremental changes. Themes present in both groups included health motivations and the intention to make long-term changes to promote weight loss. This finding is in contrast with current assumptions based on previous studies that study only WLM, the findings of which imply that these themes are associated with only that group. However, this study not only found that these associations may be misleading but emphasizes the importance of examining the experiences of each group alongside the other.application/pdfCopyright is held by the author who has granted the Oklahoma State University Library the non-exclusive right to share this material in its institutional repository. Contact Digital Library Services at lib-dls@okstate.edu or 405-744-9161 for the permission policy on the use, reproduction or distribution of this material.Thesisobesityweight loss