Weight Loss Experiences of Overweight or Obese Postmenopausal Women with Dietitian Support: A Qualitative Research

Objective: To describe in detail the challenges faced by overweight and obese postmenopausal women, and to explore their experiences with weight loss through dietitian support. Materials and Methods: This qualitative study was conducted with 14 participants. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather information through ‘metaphors’ and open-ended questions to elicit participants' experiences of menopause, changes in body weight and its effects, their views on dietitian support, and their suggestions regarding exercise and diet. The interviews were recorded using a voice recorder. The transcribed voice recordings were coded and analysed using the computer-assisted qualitative research programme MAXQDA 22. Results: Four main themes were identified: “participants' experiences of menopause”, “changes in body weight and their effects”, “perceptions of dietitian support”, and “participants' suggestions for exercise and diet”. Participants' experiences of menopause were mostly expressed as “difficulty in losing weight” and “weight gain”, and their perceptions of obesity were expressed as “restriction of exercise”, “occurrence of illness” and “easy fatigue” due to increased body weight. Participants primarily reported motivations for weight loss such as achieving a healthier lifestyle, ensuring healthy aging, and maintaining a high quality of life. Participants emphasized that the dietitian's primary role was to “support for motivation”. Conclusion: Women generally associate menopause with illness, obesity, vasomotor symptoms, and psychological issues. The findings show that the dietitian's approach is crucial both for the treatment process and for the consultant. It is also important to provide psychological support to postmenopausal women in conjunction with dietitian support.