Patient-Perceived Challenges of Incretin-Based Obesity Management Medications and Barriers and Facilitators to Lifestyle Change: A Qualitative Study

This qualitative study aims to explore in depth patients’ experiences, perceived challenges, and factors related to the adoption and maintenance of behavioral lifestyle changes among adults with overweight and obesity during treatment with incretin-based obesity management medications (OMMs), as well as among individuals who have discontinued these medications. Data will be collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Analysis will follow a two-stage thematic approach, beginning with an inductive, data-driven phase to capture emergent themes, followed by a deductive phase informed by established behavior change frameworks, including the COM-B model and the Behavior Change Wheel (BCW). Findings are expected to enhance the understanding of patients’ needs, preferences, and perceived resources and barriers during incretin - based OMMs, in order to inform the development of a future, theory-informed behavioral intervention designed to support and complement obesity pharmacotherapy.