The Experience of Group Weight Loss Efforts Among Lesbians

Abstract

Participants had long histories of shame and fear surrounding weight loss attempts. Weight loss group participants needed cultural connectivity and a sense of safety and acceptance to address issues contributing to weight gain and in order to lose weight and maintain weight loss. Although more research is needed before implementation of a sexual minority women-specific weight loss program, these data are the basis for further exploration into the development of such a program.

Weight Loss and Related Behavior Changes Among Lesbians

“…Commonly, many people (not distinguishing between heterosexual and sexual minority) who have resolved to lose weight feel a sense of fear and dread when anticipating confronting the difficult issues that surround weight loss (Abraham, Von Lojewski, Anderson, Clarke, & Russell, 2009;Landau, 2001). For many lesbians, this sense of dread is compounded with a sense of fear surrounding disclosure of sexual identity when entering a group of unfamiliar people (Fogel et al, 2009). In the qualitative component of this descriptive study a model was identified that depicted what the vast majority of participants experienced in previous weigh loss attempts (Fogel et al, 2009).…”

“…For many lesbians, this sense of dread is compounded with a sense of fear surrounding disclosure of sexual identity when entering a group of unfamiliar people (Fogel et al, 2009). In the qualitative component of this descriptive study a model was identified that depicted what the vast majority of participants experienced in previous weigh loss attempts (Fogel et al, 2009). These experiences led the participants to seek out a predominantly lesbian weight loss group (PLWLG).…”

“…Although there are no mainstream weight loss programs that address specific weight loss needs of lesbians, many lesbians seek to obtain support from mainstream, commercial, group-based weight loss programs (Fogel, Young & McPherson, 2009). Lesbians may face complicated issues surrounding social support within these groups (Fogel et al, 2009).…”

“…Lesbians may face complicated issues surrounding social support within these groups (Fogel et al, 2009). Commonly, many people (not distinguishing between heterosexual and sexual minority) who have resolved to lose weight feel a sense of fear and dread when anticipating confronting the difficult issues that surround weight loss (Abraham, Von Lojewski, Anderson, Clarke, & Russell, 2009;Landau, 2001).…”

“…To date, there is only one study that describes the unique weight loss support needs of lesbians. These needs include: a) an environment that provides a sense of safety (defined as free from sexual identity-based judgments); b) a program that allows for attention to their specific needs (defined as the ability to openly discuss their partners or other sexual identity-related concerns); and c) a program that inherently supports the development of community (Fogel, Young, & McPherson, 2009). No research currently exists that analyzes the effect of a specific weight loss program that addresses these needs.…”