'I'm a failure again, I can't do it': Attitudes towards, and experiences of, exercise participation in adults with class III obesity

TY - JOUR

T1 - 'I'm a failure again, I can't do it'

T2 - Attitudes towards, and experiences of, exercise participation in adults with class III obesity

AU - Orange, Samuel T

AU - Roebuck, Jessica

AU - Marshall, Phil

AU - Madden, Leigh A

AU - Vince, Rebecca V

AU - Bell, Beth T

N1 - © 2024 The Author(s). British Journal of Health Psychology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Psychological Society.

PY - 2024/6/24

Y1 - 2024/6/24

N2 - OBJECTIVES: Living within a larger body brings unique challenges to exercise participation, which are poorly understood. This qualitative study explored the attitudes towards, and experiences of, exercise participation in adults with class III obesity.DESIGN: Individual semi-structured qualitative interviews.METHODS: We recruited 30 adults with class III obesity (body mass index: 45.8 ± 8.6 kg/m 2) from a specialist multidisciplinary weight management service. Participants took part in semi-structured interviews while participating in a 6-month home-based aerobic and resistance exercise intervention. Open-ended questions were used flexibly to explore their views and experiences of exercise, encompassing barriers, motives and perceived benefits. Transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three themes were developed: (1) a web of barriers; (2) tailored exercise facilitates positive experiences; and (3) a desire to live a normal life. People with class III obesity perceived that they were unable to do exercise; a view that was attributed to perceived judgement, low physical function, pain during everyday activities and failed weight loss attempts. These complex physical and psychosocial barriers to exercise were described as contributing to exercise avoidance. High value was placed on tailored exercise that accommodates the unique needs of moving in a larger body. A desire to carry out everyday tasks underpinned motivations for exercise.CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that multi-component obesity interventions should move away from generic exercise prescriptions designed to maximize energy expenditure, and instead move towards addressing the unique physical and psychosocial needs of people who have class III obesity with tailored person-centred and weight-neutral exercise prescriptions.

AB - OBJECTIVES: Living within a larger body brings unique challenges to exercise participation, which are poorly understood. This qualitative study explored the attitudes towards, and experiences of, exercise participation in adults with class III obesity.DESIGN: Individual semi-structured qualitative interviews.METHODS: We recruited 30 adults with class III obesity (body mass index: 45.8 ± 8.6 kg/m 2) from a specialist multidisciplinary weight management service. Participants took part in semi-structured interviews while participating in a 6-month home-based aerobic and resistance exercise intervention. Open-ended questions were used flexibly to explore their views and experiences of exercise, encompassing barriers, motives and perceived benefits. Transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three themes were developed: (1) a web of barriers; (2) tailored exercise facilitates positive experiences; and (3) a desire to live a normal life. People with class III obesity perceived that they were unable to do exercise; a view that was attributed to perceived judgement, low physical function, pain during everyday activities and failed weight loss attempts. These complex physical and psychosocial barriers to exercise were described as contributing to exercise avoidance. High value was placed on tailored exercise that accommodates the unique needs of moving in a larger body. A desire to carry out everyday tasks underpinned motivations for exercise.CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that multi-component obesity interventions should move away from generic exercise prescriptions designed to maximize energy expenditure, and instead move towards addressing the unique physical and psychosocial needs of people who have class III obesity with tailored person-centred and weight-neutral exercise prescriptions.

U2 - 10.1111/bjhp.12739

DO - 10.1111/bjhp.12739

M3 - Article

C2 - 38923753

SN - 1359-107X

JO - British Journal of Health Psychology

JF - British Journal of Health Psychology

ER -