The psychosocial beliefs, experiences and expectations of children living with obesity

Abstract

BackgroundChildhood obesity has been shown to impair psychological health. However, psychological factors are often overlooked in both research evaluations and treatment interventions, and children's perspectives on managing obesity are underexplored. Neglecting psychosocial factors might undermine interventions. This research explored the psychological beliefs, expectations and experiences of children living with obesity (range 7–13) and attending a weight management programme (WMP).MethodsThirty‐four participants (19 females, 15 males, average age 9.5 years) completed a semistructured interview. Recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsFour overarching themes were developed: (1) defining health and self‐recognition; (2) external influence; feedback, stigma and comparison; (3) recognising emotions and (4) future expectations: obesity is a reality. These themes interact to influence the children's psychosocial status.ConclusionsThis study highlights a range of psychosocial and emotional difficulties that children living with obesity experience and suggests that these remain regardless of their attendance at a WMP. Interventions for children living with obesity should address psychosocial factors, including stress management, peer victimisation and handling feedback from others.Patient or Public ContributionAs proposed by the two young people acting as patient and public involvement and engagement representatives, the utilisation of scrapbooks as a preinterview tool was particularly helpful in aiding discussion during the interviews. This innovative approach could be considered a valuable methodological technique for investigating sensitive topics with children in future research.

‘Beyond the Scale’: A Qualitative Exploration of the Impact of Weight Stigma Experienced by Patients With Obesity in General Practice

“…This phenomenon is magnified where there are adverse early childhood experiences of WS in healthcare settings that persist into adulthood, as were reported by the participants in this study [ 15 , 26 ]. GPs need to be made aware of the influence that historical WS can have when treating PwO [ 23 , 51 ]. It is imperative that GPs do not make assumptions about eating behaviours and evaluate their patients for the risk of distorted eating cognitions and behaviours, irrespective of their patients presenting weight [ 19 , 25 , 52 ].…”