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Peer health coach experiences promoting a nondiet approach in a university health coaching program

Saemi Lee (California State University Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA)
Janaina Lima Fogaca (California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, California, USA)
Natalie Papini (Department of Health Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA)
Courtney Joseph (Independent Scholar, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA)
Nikole Squires (Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA)
Dawn Clifford (Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA)
Jonathan Lee (University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA)

Health Education

ISSN: 0965-4283

Article publication date: 7 May 2024

Issue publication date: 6 June 2024

52

Abstract

Purpose

Research shows peer health education programs on university campuses can support students in pursuing sustainable health-related behavior changes. However, few programs deliver peer health education through a nondiet, weight-inclusive framework. Research shows that health educators who challenge the status quo of diet culture and weight-focused health interventions may face unique challenges when sharing this perspective with others. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of peer educators who provided critical health education by introducing a nondiet, weight-inclusive approach to health.

Design/methodology/approach

Five health coaches from a university health coaching program at a mid-sized southwestern university participated in a semi-structured interview. The data were analyzed through interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Findings

Peer educators faced numerous challenges when introducing nondiet, weight-inclusive approaches such as lacking credibility as a peer to challenge weight-centric messages, feeling conflicted about honoring clients’ autonomy when clients are resistant to a weight-inclusive approach and feeling uncomfortable when discussing client vulnerabilities. Peer educators also identified several strategies that helped them navigate these challenges such as being intentional with social media, using motivational interviewing to unpack clients’ concerns about weight, and seeking group supervision.

Originality/value

Given the reality that health coaches will face challenges sharing weight-inclusive health approaches, educators and supervisors should explicitly incorporate strategies and training methods to help peer health coaches prepare for and cope with such challenges. More research is also needed to examine effective ways to introduce weight-inclusive approaches to college students.

Keywords

Citation

Lee, S., Lima Fogaca, J., Papini, N., Joseph, C., Squires, N., Clifford, D. and Lee, J. (2024), "Peer health coach experiences promoting a nondiet approach in a university health coaching program", Health Education, Vol. 124 No. 1/2, pp. 102-118. https://doi.org/10.1108/HE-03-2023-0036

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited

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