Table 4.

Key Features of General Explanatory Model of Being Overweight in Relation to Standard Care and a Commercial Weight Loss Program

Explanatory Model	Standard Care	Commercial Program
Overweight not regarded as a disease needing medical treatment	Based in local physician’s practice Delivered by health care professionals	Based in various (nonmedical) community venues Delivered by community members who have lost weight with commercial provider
Need motivation and support for weight loss, rather than information	Health care professionals varied widely in their interest in weight loss and their ability to support and motivate Care primarily participant led	Key role of leader is to motivate the group Most participants experience the group environment as supportive, though not suitable for all
Frequent contact and accountability needed	Meetings arranged in advance by participants Appointments need not be at a regular time or day but must be on weekdays during “office hours” Can be difficult to get an appointment	Weekly meetings held in accessible community venues Local meetings at a variety of set days and times Participants can drop in
Cannot be treated or cured. Weight regain likely	On-going support possible, but would require specific additional care provision	Weight management is viewed as on-going process and continued provision offered Continued provision would require self-payment or further payment by primary care provider Members who have reached their goal weight can attend free of charge