Aspects of well-being when struggling with obesity

Haga, Britt Marit; Furnes, Bodil; Dysvik, Elin; Ueland, Venke

doi:10.1080/17482631.2019.1699637

Cited by 9 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…Our findings reveal how feeling like a failure is shameful for the participants, and that feeling a failure in physical activity and exercise is related to the person's sense of being a human failure, and a more deeply a sense of aversion that requires distance from others. These finding related to physical activity are similar to earlier findings that obese individuals experience that their large bodies make them feel like failures (Haga et al, 2019a). In this way shame is existential, as it is linked to a person's identity, i.e.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…Empirical research has reported that individuals with severe obesity lack wellbeing in physical activity (Ekkekakis and Lind, 2006). However, qualitative insight into how individuals with severe obesity experience existential wellbeing in relation to physical activity is lacking even though a growing body of research on complex existential challenges in relation to body, life and existence exists (Haga et al, 2019b;Ueland et al, 2019;Haga et al, 2019a;Ueland, Dysvik, and Furnes, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Being with others during physical activity: experiences of well-being among adults with severe obesity

Toft

Galvin

Nielsen

et al. 2020

Physiotherapy Theory and Practice

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Background: The experience of physical activity is influenced by social relations and gendered roles. Group-based lifestyle interventions are considered effective in promoting physical activity, yet the experiences of being active with others are unknown among individuals with severe obesity. Purpose: To explore how individuals with severe obesity experience being with others during physical activity. Methods: A qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study of repeated single gender focus group interviews was conducted with adults living with severe obesity during group-based lifestyle intervention. The Danish Data Protection Agency (J. no.1-16-02-425-15) approved the study. Results: Three themes were developed: 'Enjoying safety, kinship and belonging among peers'; 'Feeling like a failure is shameful: a sense of aversion' and 'Striving to feel at home in physical activity: needing distance from others'. The themes were merged into 'Achieving wellbeing may always be a challenge: not feeling at home in the group or in body'. Conclusion: Intersubjective and spatial dimensions of experiences are central and influence how individuals with severe obesity can feel wellbeing and 'at home' in physical activity. Physiotherapists should be aware of the individuals' vulnerability regarding feelings of failure, aversion and shame as well as awareness of gendered norms and roles.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Being with others during physical activity: experiences of well-being among adults with severe obesity

Toft

Galvin

Nielsen

et al. 2020

Physiotherapy Theory and Practice

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Previously, the conceptual framework (Galvin & Todres, 2011) has mainly been used in the UK (Mayoh & Jones, 2015;Shaw et al, 2016) or in different settings or populations in Denmark (Uhrenfeldt & Hoybye, 2015;Rasmussen et al, 2018). However, a recent Norwegian study has explored how people with obesity struggle to gain well-being in life (Haga et al, 2019a).…”

Section: Discussion Of Theory and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Different qualitative studies have explored severely obese individuals' experiences in relation to weight loss (Christiansen et al, 2007;Dahl et al, 2014;Thomas et al, 2008) or PA in relation to bariatric surgery (Dikareva et al, 2016;Peacock et al, 2014;Wiklund et al, 2011;Zabatiero et al, 2016). Recent studies have explored how living with obesity is experienced from an existential perspective (Haga et al, 2019a(Haga et al, , 2019bUeland et al, 2019). However, less emphasis has been put on how PA is experienced by patients living with severe obesity and a systematic review found that very little is known about how facilitators and barriers to PA are lived through a process of lifestyle changed and described in relation to existential experiences of well-being (Toft & Uhrenfeldt, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Being active when living within a large body: experiences during lifestyle intervention

Toft

Galvin

Nielsen

et al. 2020

International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well

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Background: In-depth understanding of the experiences of both well-being and suffering in relation to being severely obese and becoming active through lifestyle intervention is lacking. Aim: to explore and describe adults' existential experiences of being active, when living within a large body-before and during a lifestyle intervention. Methods: A longitudinal design of repeated individual interviews with 16 adults with BMI ≥40, based on hermeneutic phenomenology, existential philosophy and a theory of wellbeing was performed. The study was approved by the Danish health authorities. Results: Two dimensions of experiences were found; "Living within a downward spiral" and "Striving for enjoyment and settlement". The themes describing suffering were: 'Sense of being thwarted and defeated ' and "Tackling energy depletion and impact of sense of self". The themes describing well-being were: "Hoping for renewal and energised resoluteness" and "Enduring discomfort and feeling safe". Conclusions: Interacting existential experiences can be facilitators or barriers for physical activity. It seems relevant for health care providers to address the individual's lifeworld experiences of well-being, lack of well-being and suffering. Well-being as a sense of feeling "at home" when physically active may break down an inactivity spiral. Promoting well-being is a legitimate aim of lifestyle intervention. ARTICLE HISTORY

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“…Ueland et al [14] identify objectification as impeding progress, and a need for health care workers to assist persons living with obesity to reduce objectification and alienation through interventions that have an individual holistic approach. Haga et al [15,16] identify complex existential experiences which provide deeper insights into the lived experiences of people with obesity, that can inform a more comprehensive approach to obesity health care.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A “messy ball of wool”: a qualitative study of the dimensions of the lived experience of obesity

et al. 2020

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Background: Obesity is a multi-dimensional condition with causal factors beyond the physiological into the behavioural, dietetic and psychological. Understanding the lived experience of those who are overweight and obese and self-perceived barriers to access and engagement in intervention are imperative to formulating a systemic response to the complex problem of obesity. This study aims to identify the social, psychological and systemic factors impeding engagement with weight-loss behaviour and interventions, and to formulate a framework for responding to these. Methods: We conducted an exploratory qualitative study using focus groups and interviews with people who have lived experienced of being overweight or obese. Data were analysed using an inductive thematic approach. Following the thematic analysis, further interpretation of the data was achieved by applying the epistemological foundations of the Lifeworld Led Care paradigm, recognising its philosophy of the person and of care based on the individual's experiences. Eight men and 17 women participated. Results: Three overarching themes were identified: Complexity and Battle, Impediments, and Positive Reorientation. The subthemes of these were found to represent the dimensions of the Lifeworld: Identify, Intersubjectivity, Mood and Embodiment. Further interpretation of the themed data identified six polarised dichotomies representing the opposing lived dimensions of the obesity experience:

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Aspects of well-being when struggling with obesity

Cited by 9 publications

References 52 publications

Being with others during physical activity: experiences of well-being among adults with severe obesity

Being with others during physical activity: experiences of well-being among adults with severe obesity

Being active when living within a large body: experiences during lifestyle intervention

A “messy ball of wool”: a qualitative study of the dimensions of the lived experience of obesity

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