Adolescents’ perspectives on everyday life with obesity: a qualitative study

Gudbjørg Øen,Bente Kvilhaugsvik,Kari Eldal,Anne-Grethe Halding

doi:10.1080/17482631.2018.1479581

Abstract

ABSTRACTPurpose: This study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of the perspectives and life experiences of adolescents living with obesity. Methods: Five adolescents living with obesity were involved in repeated interviews, and qualitative content analysis was performed. Results: Three themes emerged: obesity as a multi-faceted and difficult to solve condition; obesity as a shameful and vulnerable subject; and bullying and fragile social relationships. Adolescents living with obesity described everyday life challenges as difficult to interpret and solve. Adolescents living with obesity perceived causes for obesity differently, and those who emphasised familial determinants seemed to face greater challenges. Lack of support from parents, trusted friends and health-care providers and bullying, shame, guilt and self-blame represented threats that decreased motivation for help seeking and successful life-style changes. The adolescents were ambivalent regarding disclosing their concerns and seeking help. The adolescents feared that health care providers would demand too much from them, and peers were perceived as a possible source of support. Conclusion: Care providers need to be skilled in assessing each individual’s resources and interpretations of their condition, to be able to communicate in a respectful, patient-centred manner and to assist adolescents to explore their ambivalence and set their own realistic goals. More research is needed.

Highlights

Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the twenty-first century, with figures increasing at an alarming rate
Five adolescents living with obesity were involved in repeated interviews, and qualitative content analysis was performed
Adolescents living with obesity described everyday life challenges as difficult to interpret and solve

Summary

Introduction

Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the twenty-first century, with figures increasing at an alarming rate. According to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), there has been a steady increase in the number of overweight children in Norway over the past 30 years. The prevalence of children living with overweight, including those classified as obese, in a sample of thirdgrade Norwegian children (mean age 8,3 years) was 19% and 4% respectively (Biehl et al, 2013). Childhood and adolescent obesity raise concerns with respect to potential physical and psychosocial consequences. Obesity is associated with decreased quality of life, low self-esteem, bullying, with somatic pain, reduced physical activity and an increase in sedentary behaviour. Increased weight status in children is associated with poorer educational outcomes (Carey, Singh, Brown, & Wilkinson, 2015)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion