The experience of obesity in Maltese adults : a qualitative study

Abstract

The aim for this study was to describe The Experience of Obesity in Maltese Adults. By exploring the participants’ individualized perceptions it allowed the possibility to delve into a deeper understanding of how obesity impacts one’s physical and psychological quality of life. A qualitative research design was used and a total 6 participants (3 males and 3 females) with BMI ≥ 30 participated in semi-structured interviews. Ages 30-40. The results suggested that living with obesity was perceived to be more difficult for females rather than males, with males taking a more positive stance towards their weight. The participants described experiences of lifestyle setbacks, weight management difficulties, stigma and discrimination together with personality changes. Thus, these findings support the idea that obesity is a complex condition that includes important psychological and psychosocial elements, which should not be disregarded when dealing with obese individuals.