A lifelong struggle for a lighter tomorrow: A qualitative study on experiences of obesity in primary healthcare patients.
Annika Imhagen, Jan Karlsson, Stefan Jansson and 1 others
PMID 35655375WHAT IT FOUND
Patients about to start a group obesity programme described lifelong shame, pain and fear, but also resilience and clear support needs.
Nurses can ask about stigma and mental health when supporting weight-loss goals.
Key findings
01Participants described living with obesity as a lifelong struggle between hope and despair, with suffering, resilience and need for support.
02Suffering included shame and negative self-image, pain and poor physical condition, and fear of future disease.
03Participants also showed resilience and wanted concrete support to maintain changes.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample was small and came from one Swedish town, with one man and 16 women, so it may not represent men or people with different backgrounds. All participants had obesity and were already seeking treatment, so findings may not transfer to people with overweight or those not ready to change. The researchers did not ask participants to check the themes, and the number of participants was considered sufficient for this group, but more participants could have captured other experiences.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these themes as evidence that the group programme works. No weight or health outcomes were measured. The findings describe adults already seeking obesity treatment, mostly women, and may not apply to men, people with overweight, or those not ready to change.