Living with obesity — existential experiences

Abstract

<b>Aims and objectives</b>: The aim was to gain in-depth understanding about individuals' existential experiences of living with obesity. <b>Background</b>: People living with obesity face great vulnerability and existential challenges. The different treatments offered do not seem to meet the individual needs of persons with obesity. A deeper understanding of existential experiences from an individual perspective is needed to individualize treatment. <b>Design</b>: An exploratory phenomenological-hermeneutical design was used to gain a greater understanding of the existential experiences involved in living with obesity. <b>Methods</b>: The participants represented a convenient sample. 18 qualitative interviews were conducted and subjected to phenomenological-hermeneutical analysis. <b>Results</b>: Four themes emerged: <i>shaped by childhood; captured by food; depressed by the culture</i>; and <i>judged by oneself</i>. <b>Conclusions</b>: The burden of being obese can be experienced as being <i>objectified</i> and <i>alienated</i> as a human being. We need to turn towards a life-world perspective, seeing <i>each human being as a living body</i> to overcome objectification and alienation, and then move them towards becoming subjects in their own lives, <i>through giving space for self-love</i>. Health care workers need to assist persons living with obesity to reduce objectification and alienation. It is important to develop intervention that has an individual, holistic approach.