Weight management practices, views, and experiences among adults with low socioeconomic position and obesity: a qualitative systematic review

Background Low socioeconomic position (SEP) is linked to obesity in high- and upper-middle-income countries. However, individual views and experiences concerning weight management of people with low SEP and obesity have been largely ignored. This qualitative systematic review aimed to synthesize the current research evidence on weight management practices, views, and experiences of adults with low SEP and obesity. Methods We systematically searched MEDLINE (Ovid), APA PsychINFO (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Scopus, Web of Science, the Finnish health sciences database MEDIC, Google Scholar, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. Two researchers performed the title and abstract screening, full-text screening, and critical appraisal. One researcher performed the data extraction, categorized the findings, and aggregated the categories into synthesized findings with careful consultation with the other researchers. We assessed confidence in the findings and included only unequivocal and credible findings in the synthesis. Results We screened a total of 1098 records, resulting in the inclusion of 12 final studies. A meta-aggregative synthesis yielded 5 main themes, derived from 17 categories: (1) social living environments were experienced to both support and hinder weight management; (2) unfavorable living conditions, such as lack of financial resources and challenging working conditions, hampered weight management; (3) constructive and personalized advice and support for weight management were desired from health professionals, but they were not often received; (4) psychological, spiritual, and physical health aspects influenced and often served as motivators for weight management; and (5) transitions in life cycle, such as becoming a parent, posed challenges to weight management, but provided also chances to engage in healthy lifestyle habits. The confidence scores of the synthesized findings were low. Conclusions The findings of this review highlight the needs and aspirations of people with low SEP and obesity regarding their weight management, related to their social and living environment and to services provided by healthcare professionals. The support provided for weight management should consider both individual- and community-level aspects, and policy actions should improve structural factors (e.g., access to services and obesity stigma) that hamper weight management among people with low SEP and obesity. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42023407938.