Table 5.

Theme Differences Across Obese and Overweight Participants

1. Overweight women were discouraged from losing weight by the majority of their obese friends and family member and told, “You don't need to lose weight.” As a result, they were concerned about mentioning their weight and weight loss efforts to others.

2. Overweight women were more likely to talk with male friends and family members than obese women.

3. Overweight women generally felt that they could do more to lose weight than obese women and were subsequently more interested in concrete, specific advice for weight loss, rather than general information.