Clients’ Experiences of a Community Based Lifestyle Modification Program: A Qualitative Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Ruth S.M. Chan²  Kris Y.W. Lok²  Mandy M.M. Sea¹ 

[1] Centre for Nutritional Studies, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; E-Mail:;Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; E-Mails:

关键词: lifestyle modification;    weight management;    obesity;    patient-centered care;    qualitative;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph6102608

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

There is little information about how clients attending lifestyle modification programs view the outcomes. This qualitative study examined the clients’ experience of a community based lifestyle modification program in Hong Kong. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 clients attending the program. Clients perceived the program had positive impacts on their health and nutrition knowledge. They experienced frustration, negative emotion, lack of motivation, and pressure from others during the program. Working environment and lack of healthy food choices in restaurants were the major perceived environmental barriers for lifestyle modification. Clients valued nutritionists’ capability of providing professional information and psychological support in the program. Our results suggest that nutritionist’s capability of providing quality consultations and patient-centered care are important for empowering clients achieve lifestyle modification.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2009 by the authors; licensee Molecular Diversity Preservation International, Basel, Switzerland.