| dc.description.abstract | Background: As the so-called “obesity epidemic” has risen to prominence in the public consciousness, a number of interventions aiming to prevent and treat overweight and obesity have been created. Most of them focus on changing individuals’ behaviors, and do not result in weight loss, but do potentially lead to multiple adverse outcomes such as weight stigma. Yet, these potential adverse outcomes are rarely addressed in publications about interventions for overweight and obesity.
Objectives: This research aimed to gain insights into the potential adverse outcomes of a Dutch combined lifestyle intervention, the BeweegKuur, where they stemmed from, and the extent to which they were reflected upon and reported by stakeholders.
Methods: A scoping review was used, which included a review of the scientific, policy, and general interest publications about the BeweegKuur, as well as a consultation exercise with stakeholders of the intervention.
Findings: 47 publications were analyzed and revealed two general assumptions, two theories, and four specific assumptions which underlie the BeweegKuur and influence its design, outputs, and outcomes. Several positive outcomes were also discussed in it, as were intended outcomes which failed to materialize. Potential adverse outcomes of the intervention, however, were not addressed. Thus, they were the main subject of the consultation exercise. It consisted of 8 interviews and revealed 4 potential adverse outcomes. It also showed that, when prompted, stakeholders are indeed aware of potential adverse outcomes.
Conclusions: There is a contrast between the lack of reflection and reporting of potential adverse outcomes in publications about the BeweegKuur and stakeholders’ personal awareness of them. Therefore, stakeholders must make efforts to reflect more critically on potential adverse outcomes of interventions for overweight and obesity, and must address them more systematically in publications. | |
