Developing dimensions for a multicomponent multidisciplinary approach to obesity management
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN10164509 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10164509 |
| Protocol serial number | 1000000514 |
| Sponsor | Queensland University of Technology |
| Funder | Queensland University of Technology |
- Submission date
- 09/11/2016
- Registration date
- 14/11/2016
- Last edited
- 14/11/2016
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
The term 'obese' describes a person who's very overweight, with a lot of body fat. Researchers believe that the complexity of obesity is one of the reasons it has been difficult to treat. To address the complex nature of obesity there have been suggestions for multicomponent and multidisciplinary approaches to obesity management. However, there has not been clear agreement on what components and disciplines to include in a multicomponent multidisciplinary approach. Furthermore, many approaches are often developed by researchers, and not by the practitioners treating obesity, or other people associated with obesity management including the actual patients. Subsequently, the aim of this study is to ask a range of people, including researchers, policy makers, educators and practitioners in obesity management and their patients, what they believe should be included in a multicomponent, multidisciplinary approach to obesity management.
Who can participate?
A dietitian, two obese patients, a general practitioner, a counselling psychologist, a social worker, a research psychologist, a naturopath, an endocrinologist, a health epidemiologist and behavioral biologist, a team leader of a community-based health promotion team, two community health nurses, an exercise scientist, and a medical educationalist
What does the study involve?
Information was collected from a series of long, in-depth interviews with the participants, and by observing practitioners working in obesity and their adult patients in a wide variety of settings. This information was then collated along with information from journal articles and books into a software program to sort and group the information.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants may benefit from having a platform to explore their concerns and understanding of the management of overweight and obesity and factors contributing to it and how they could manage it. There are no risks beyond normal day-to-day living associated with their participation in this study. However, it is acknowledged that some people could be sensitive about their weight and their inability to lose it and may become upset while discussing their weight-related issues. Similarly, some practitioners may experience discomfort when discussing instances when they have not met the expectations of their clients.
Where is the study run from?
Queensland University of Technology (Australia)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
January 2010 to November 2013
Who is funding the study?
Queensland University of Technology (Australia)
Who is the main contact?
1. Dr Anita Cochrane
2. Prof. Neil King
Contact information
Scientific
PO Box 3180
Norman Park
4170
Australia
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-7556-8915 |
|---|
Study information
| Primary study design | Observational |
|---|---|
| Study design | Qualitative action research study |
| Secondary study design | Qualitative action research study |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Can the recommendations of stakeholders involved in obesity management be used to operationalise a multicomponent multidisciplinary approach to obesity management in adults that addresses the limitations of linear cause and effect approaches for a condition that is regarded as complex and multisystem? |
| Study objectives | The development of effective and sustainable nonsurgical treatment strategies for obesity has progressed slowly. There have been consistent recommendations for multicomponent and multidisciplinary (MCMD) approaches to address the complexity of obesity. However, there is no clear agreement on the components or disciplines to be considered within MCMD approaches or how they can be best applied in practice. Study aim: to explore MCMD approaches through an examination of knowledge, skills, beliefs, and recommendations of stakeholders involved in obesity management. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Human Ethics Research Committee, 22/07/2010, ref: 1000000514 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Obesity |
| Intervention | 1. Convergent interviewing was the main source of data. To achieve a representative sample with maximum diversity to interview, a stakeholder analysis process was conducted to identify the stakeholders to interview. The convergent interviewing technique consists of a series of long, in-depth interviews that gather unstructured content, while using a structured process for the interviews and for data analysis. 2. Observation procedures involved recording (written and audio), analyzing, and interpreting people’s actions and interactions in a wide variety of settings. Observational settings included multidisciplinary network meetings that the primary researcher either facilitated or participated in; talks she gave on obesity, including questions and comments from the participants; multidisciplinary team meetings and obesity talks she attended as an observer; obesity training events and conferences; and conversations she had with colleagues, including her doctoral supervisors, and patients. 3. Reference to the literature progressed as an ongoing dialectic, between the data and the literature, throughout the study. This dialectic was used to clarify, augment, challenge, and inform the data and the direction of the approach in development. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
The components and disciplines that the collective data indicated could be involved in a multicomponent, multidisciplinary approach to obesity management |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
The metacomponents evident in the data, and the sub-components of the main components identified |
| Completion date | 21/11/2013 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Mixed |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 14 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Stakeholders including researchers, policy makers and practitioners in the field of obesity management, as well as overweight and obese individuals pursuing weight loss 2. Aged over 18 |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Individuals under 18 2. Stakeholders who were not working in, or experienced in, the field of obesity management 3. Patients who were not overweight or obese |
| Date of first enrolment | 10/03/2011 |
| Date of final enrolment | 05/09/2013 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Australia
Study participating centre
Australia
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from Dr Anita Cochrane. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
