THE ROLE OF SOCIAL SUPPORT IN ADULT WOMEN´S WEIGHT LOSS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: Excess body weight, is a worldwide health problem. Social support may play a central role during weight loss processes; however, this relationship has not been clearly established. Objective: To determine the role of social support in adult women´s weight loss. Methods: We conducted a systematic review searching four databases: PubMed, Ebsco Medline with full text, PsycINFO, and Web of Science; and including articles that were 1) related to at least one of the research question; 2) intervention studies aiming to evaluate the effectiveness of the familiar social support component in weight loss; 3) the population of the study was adult women between 18 and 65 years. Results: Ten studies relating family social support to weight loss: only a few of them have shown an association between weight loss and family social support, and none of the studies found an association between family social support and BMI; involving family members in weight loss programs seems to have some positive effect but the results are mixed. Limitations: Studies used different definitions and measures to evaluate family social support; some of them were excluded because they did not differentiate in their analysis between men and women. Conclusions: It seems to be a positive effect between social support and weight loss in women, but more studies are necessary to draw solid conclusions.