%0 Journal Article
%T Living with obesity ¡ª existential experiences
%A Bodil Furnes
%A Elin Dysvik
%A Kristine R£¿rtveit
%A Venke Uel
%J International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being
%D 2019
%R https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2019.1651171
%X ABSTRACT Aims and objectives: The aim was to gain in-depth understanding about individuals¡¯ existential experiences of living with obesity. Background: 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. Design: An exploratory phenomenological¨Chermeneutical design was used to gain a greater understanding of the existential experiences involved in living with obesity. Methods: The participants represented a convenient sample. 18 qualitative interviews were conducted and subjected to phenomenological¨Chermeneutical analysis. Results: Four themes emerged: shaped by childhood; captured by food; depressed by the culture; and judged by oneself. Conclusions: The burden of being obese can be experienced as being objectified and alienated as a human being. We need to turn towards a life-world perspective, seeing each human being as a living body to overcome objectification and alienation, and then move them towards becoming subjects in their own lives, through giving space for self-love. 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
%U https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17482631.2019.1651171