Researchers talked to 34 young women with obesity to understand what they think about their health and what kind of help they’d actually want. The study found that most of these women struggle with depression and anxiety, and they see a strong connection between their mental and physical health. Interestingly, they don’t want programs that focus only on weight loss. Instead, they prefer programs that help them build better eating and exercise habits in a supportive way, with a mix of online and in-person activities like cooking classes. This research suggests that health programs should focus on overall wellness rather than just the number on the scale.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: What young women with obesity think about their mental and physical health, what health behaviors they want to improve, and what kind of health programs would actually work for them
  • Who participated: 34 young women, average age 24 years old, with obesity (BMI of about 36). The group included women from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, with about 41% being white.
  • Key finding: All participants showed signs of depression, and about 8 out of 10 showed signs of anxiety. Most importantly, they didn’t want programs focused only on weight loss—they wanted help improving their eating and exercise habits in a way that felt supportive and realistic.
  • What it means for you: If you’re a young woman struggling with weight and mental health, know that you’re not alone in feeling this way. Health programs that focus on building healthy habits (rather than just losing weight) and offer a mix of online support and in-person activities like cooking classes may be more helpful and motivating for you.

The Research Details

This study used a mixed methods approach, which means researchers collected both numbers (quantitative data) and detailed stories (qualitative data) to get a complete picture. First, participants filled out online surveys about their mental health and current habits. Then, researchers held 8 focus group discussions over Zoom where small groups of women (2-7 people per group) talked openly about their experiences, challenges, and what they’d want in a health program. Each conversation lasted between 30 minutes and about an hour and a half.

The researchers asked specific questions about how the women felt mentally and emotionally, what they thought about their current eating and exercise habits, what motivated them to make changes, and what features would make a health program appealing to them. By combining the survey numbers with the detailed conversations, the researchers got both broad patterns and deep understanding of what these young women actually experience.

This approach is important because it doesn’t just look at numbers—it listens to what real people actually say about their lives. Young women with obesity often feel judged or misunderstood by traditional health programs. By asking them directly what they need and want, researchers can design programs that people will actually use and stick with, rather than programs that look good on paper but don’t match what people really need.

This study has some strengths: it directly asked the people affected what they need, the researchers were careful to ask specific questions in a structured way, and they included women from different backgrounds. However, the study included only 34 women, so the findings may not apply to all young women with obesity. The study was also conducted online during focus groups, which might have made some women less comfortable sharing personal feelings. The researchers didn’t measure whether any actual health programs based on these findings actually worked, so we don’t yet know if following these preferences would lead to better results.

What the Results Show

The most striking finding was that mental health struggles are very common in this group: every single participant (100%) showed signs of depression, and about 79% showed signs of anxiety. This tells us that mental health and weight are deeply connected for these young women—they’re not separate issues.

When asked about health behaviors, participants said they wanted to improve their eating habits and exercise more, but they struggled with being consistent. They understood that these changes were important, but they felt stuck or unmotivated. Importantly, when researchers asked what a health program should focus on, participants said they didn’t want the main goal to be weight loss. Instead, they wanted programs that helped them feel better overall, build confidence, and develop sustainable habits.

Regarding what kind of program would work best, participants preferred a hybrid format—a combination of online and in-person activities. They specifically mentioned wanting in-person activities that were engaging and practical, like cooking classes where they could learn skills, rather than just sitting in meetings talking about health. They also valued the idea of community and support from other women going through similar experiences.

Participants expressed that they saw their physical health and mental health as deeply connected—you can’t improve one without addressing the other. They also mentioned wanting programs that didn’t make them feel judged or ashamed about their weight. Many described feeling discouraged by past health programs that focused only on weight loss, especially when they didn’t see quick results. The women valued practical, actionable advice over general information about health.

Previous research has shown that mental health problems like depression and anxiety are more common in people with obesity, but this study confirms how serious this connection is in young women specifically. Earlier studies also suggested that weight-focused programs have lower success rates, and this research supports that finding by showing that the people these programs are designed for actually prefer a different approach. The preference for hybrid programs (online plus in-person) aligns with recent trends in health interventions that recognize people have different preferences and busy schedules.

The study included only 34 women, so we can’t be completely sure these findings apply to all young women with obesity. The group was also recruited in a specific way, which might mean it doesn’t represent all young women with obesity equally. The study asked what women wanted in a program but didn’t actually test whether programs designed this way would work better. Additionally, all focus groups were conducted online, which might have made some women less comfortable sharing personal information. The study also didn’t look at differences between women of different racial or ethnic backgrounds, so we don’t know if preferences vary by background.

The Bottom Line

If you’re a young woman with obesity looking for health support: Look for programs that focus on building healthy habits rather than just weight loss (high confidence). Seek programs that address both mental and physical health together, not separately (high confidence). Consider programs that offer both online and in-person components, especially hands-on activities like cooking or fitness classes (moderate confidence based on this study). Look for supportive, non-judgmental environments where you can connect with others (moderate to high confidence). If you’re struggling with depression or anxiety, address that as part of your health journey—don’t wait until you’ve lost weight (high confidence).

Young women (roughly ages 18-35) with obesity who are thinking about improving their health should pay attention to these findings. Healthcare providers and people designing health programs should also care about this research because it shows what actually works for this group. If you’re a parent or friend of a young woman with obesity, this research can help you understand what kind of support would actually be helpful. However, these findings are specifically about young women, so they may not apply as directly to men, older women, or younger girls.

Building new habits takes time. Most research suggests you might start noticing improvements in mood and energy within 2-4 weeks of consistent effort. Meaningful changes in eating and exercise patterns typically take 8-12 weeks to feel natural. Weight changes, if they happen, usually take longer and shouldn’t be the only measure of success. Mental health improvements might happen at different speeds for different people.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track three things weekly: (1) How many days you engaged in physical activity you actually enjoyed (not just exercise you think you should do), (2) How many home-cooked meals you prepared or ate, and (3) Your mood/energy level on a simple 1-10 scale. This focuses on habits and how you feel, not just weight.
  • Use the app to find or create a virtual cooking class or fitness activity you can do with others online, then schedule one in-person activity per month (like a group cooking class or walking group). This matches the hybrid format these women said they preferred. Set reminders to check in on your mood and energy, not just your weight.
  • Every two weeks, review your habit tracking data and mood patterns. Look for connections between the activities you do and how you feel mentally and physically. Adjust your goals based on what’s actually working for you, not on what you think should work. Share your progress with a friend or support group through the app to build community, which was important to the women in this study.

This research describes what young women with obesity say they need and prefer in health programs, but it doesn’t test whether programs designed this way actually work better. If you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, or obesity, please talk to a healthcare provider who can give you personalized advice based on your specific situation. This study is helpful for understanding preferences and needs, but it’s not a substitute for professional medical or mental health care. Always consult with a doctor before starting a new exercise program or making major dietary changes, especially if you have other health conditions.