The development and implementation of a gender focused health promotion intervention

Abstract

The Australian Government's National Women's Health Strategy 2020-2030 highlighted the need for commitment to improving women's health particularly through the development of interventions designed to target physical, emotional, and psychological health. Therefore, the overarching aim of this PhD thesis was to explore and understand what influences the health of adult women, how weight loss and health promotion programs can be tailored to suit their unique needs, and how such programs can contribute to improved health in women. Simultaneously, this PhD also aimed to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week gender tailored weight loss and health promotion intervention for middle-aged women in South-Western Sydney (SWS). A series of three studies were conducted to achieve these aims, and these will be outlined and explained in the chapters of this thesis. The first study was an extensive systematic review and meta-analysis. It explored the study designs, recruitment strategies, intervention characteristics, and intervention outcomes/results of weight loss and health promotion interventions for healthy adult women. This review found that interventions that target weight and other lifestyle behaviours together, rather in isolation, are effective in promoting weight loss, increased physical activity, and improved dietary intake for healthy adult women. The meta-analysis showed evidence of small changes in both weight and waist circumference favouring the intervention group at follow-up, emphasising why it is important to target multiple health behaviours. Furthermore, considerations need to be made in terms of where these interventions are delivered and by whom, as both factors are considered influential for intervention success. These findings were used to inform the design of the intervention delivered in study three. Through a series of photovoice interviews, study two explored insights into women’s perceptions about the place and role of women in contemporary Australian society, in conjunction with their preferences for the design of a gender-tailored health promotion program that would include weight management, healthy dietary intake, and exercise education as its key foci. In addition, women’s perceptions of using professional sporting clubs as settings for health promotion programs was also explored. A sample of nine women completed two semi-structured interviews and took a series of photos. Through the medium of photos and interviews, the participants highlighted how varied women’s roles in both society and their families are and how these structural and societal constructs may be the reasons women face barriers such as time constraints and location to participating in health promotion activities. The participants emphasised that programs need to be focused on their needs and they would prefer to be consulted on the content and design. Findings from this study were also used to inform the design of the final intervention study. The third and final study was examined the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week gender focused weight loss and health promotion intervention for women aged 35-64 years in SWS (Bulldogs Active). Across the feasibility, acceptability, and health outcomes there were positive changes which, indicated the intervention was successful in promoting some improvement from baseline to intervention end (12-weeks).

Date of Award	2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Western Sydney University
Supervisor	Emma George (Supervisor), Kate McBride (Supervisor) & Tony Rossi (Supervisor)