Voices from a healthy life centre: a qualitative investigation of clients` nutrition and physical activity experiences

Authors : Hüsna Kaya Kaçar, Ertuğrul Deniz Köse, Kübra Okuyucu

Pages : 97-102

Doi:10.32322/jhsm.1588026

View : 33 | Download : 86

Publication Date : 2025-01-12

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aims: This study aimed to investigate the perceptions and experiences of clients attending a healthy life centre in Amasya for weight management and physical activity counselling. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted through telephone interviews with 23 individuals who had attended weight management counseling. Participants were adults aged 18 years and over who attended the healthy life centre in Amasya for weight management and were randomly selected from those who received weight management services. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore participants’ experiences with the healthy life centre, including their reasons for applying, their access to and satisfaction with the services, and changes in their wellbeing. Using NVivo12, transcripts were analysed thematically based on grounded theory. Results: The mean age of participants was 32.57 years (±6.1), with weight loss being a common reason for attending. The majority of participants attended a single session (n=9), and the primary sources of awareness about the center were friends (n=6) and family (n=3).The thematic analysis revealed five major themes: 1) impact on healthy living, 2) lack of promotion, 3) satisfaction, 4) reason for ceasing, and 5) suggestions for the future. Conclusion: This study emphasises the positive impact of healthy life centres on clients’ health and lifestyle behaviors, with patients reporting significant improvements in their nutritional habits and increased physical activity levels due to the counseling they received. However, the study also showed that people are unaware of the existence of healthy life centres, and that these services are not sufficiently promoted. Therefore, there is a need for the greater promotion of healthy life centres in Turkiye to improve public health.
Keywords : Sağlıklı yaşam merkezi, sağlıklı yaşam teşviki, nitel araştırma, kilo yönetimi