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

• Main Authors: Bente Skovsby Toft, Kathleen Galvin, Claus Vinther Nielsen, Lisbeth Uhrenfeldt
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2020-01-01
• Series: International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being
• Subjects: adults; experience; hermeneutics; life style; lifeworld; obesity; physical activity; qualitative study; well-being
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2020.1736769
• ISSN: 1748-2623; 1748-2631

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 well-being 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.