How are obesity policies received by individuals who find it difficult to control their weight?

Background: Obesity is a growing problem worldwide. A number of obesity policies have been introduced, however little is known about the impact of these polices on the motivation and behaviour of individuals.
Methods: 17 individuals who find it difficult to control their weight took part in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and interpreted using Self-Determination theory.
Results: All participants felt that policy intervention was needed, but only participants who were autonomously motivated to lose weight perceived current policies as helpful to achieving their personal goals. Those who were not autonomously motivated did not take advantage of opportunities that obesity-related policies can provide (e.g. food labelling). Barriers to engagement with policy approaches included perceptions of uniqueness, and a lack of social support.
Discussion: The results suggest that despite theoretical support for obesity policies, individuals find it difficult to envisage how policies could help them control their weight.