Lifestyle and Work-Related Factors Associated with Work Ability and Work Participation for People with Obesity: A Prospective Observational Study After Vocational Rehabilitation

What works? A qualitative study of participants experiences of a traditional lifestyle intervention with a work focus

Purpose

Obesity is related to lower labour force participation, increased sickness absence and reduced productivity. The rehabilitation services in Norway have not had much experience introducing a work dimension into lifestyle interventions for persons with obesity. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate one such type of intervention.

Methods

This is a qualitative study seeking to gather data on the participants’ experiences. Twenty participants were recruited from two lifestyle interventions. Intervention A, with work focus, included lectures and individual guidance from a work consultant in addition to the lifestyle intervention. Intervention B was a traditional lifestyle intervention. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews held at each stay.

Results

Seven main themes emerged and one of them pointed towards a confusion of the aim of the intervention, which was viewed as focusing on lifestyle rather than a process focused on work. Otherwise, the results showed that persons with obesity struggle with many of the same inhibiting factors as other groups with reduced work ability.

Conclusions

The application process might explain the focus on lifestyle change. Communication, guidance and support reduce barriers for lifestyle change, but work is important for general health and social well-being and a work focus may therefore be beneficial in all lifestyle interventions.

Bandura's Self-Efficacy Model Used to Explore Participants' Experiences of Health, Lifestyle, and Work After Attending a Vocational Rehabilitation Program with Lifestyle Intervention - A Focus Group Study

Purpose

We aimed to use the self-efficacy model to examine the participants’ experience, attitudes, and viewpoints regarding the association between work, health and lifestyle factors that influence work participation after completing a new one-year multidisciplinary vocational rehabilitation (VR) programme with a lifestyle intervention for people on or at risk of sick leave due to obesity or obesity-related problems.

Materials and Methods

This case study was based on focus group (FG) interviews with 11 previous participants. The interviews were conducted 2 to 4 years after they completed the program, between August and September 2019. The analysis followed Braun and Clarke’s six-phase reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) approach.

Results

The main theme “Work participation enhances quality of life” was prominent and related to mastery experience. Four sub-themes directly and indirectly affect work participation. The first sub-theme is “My attitude to life”, influenced by mastery experiences. Next, “Body size matters”, related to physiological and affective states. “Good physical capacity profit in everyday life” is associated to physiological and affective states, and the last “Support from the surroundings” influenced by vicarious experience and Verbal Persuasion.

Conclusion

This study’s main finding highlights how participants value work participation as a meaningful activity that positively influences their work self-efficacy. Future VR programs should pay attention to interventions focusing on the workplace, cognitive approaches to develop skills for coping strategies, lifestyle change purposing BMI reduction, physical activity, and support from the surroundings.

Clinical Trials

Technical information about the study on Clinical Trials NCT03286374.