Living a successful weight loss after severe obesity

Purpose: Losing weight and keeping it off for the long term is difficult. Weight regain is common. Experiences of successful non-surgical weight loss after severe obesity are largely unexplored. We know little about long-term weight loss processes, and how health care services can be of help to thos...

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Main Authors: Eli Natvik, Målfrid Råheim, John Roger Andersen, Christian Moltu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2018-01-01
Series:International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2018.1487762
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author Eli Natvik
Målfrid Råheim
John Roger Andersen
Christian Moltu
author_facet Eli Natvik
Målfrid Råheim
John Roger Andersen
Christian Moltu
author_sort Eli Natvik
collection DOAJ
description Purpose: Losing weight and keeping it off for the long term is difficult. Weight regain is common. Experiences of successful non-surgical weight loss after severe obesity are largely unexplored. We know little about long-term weight loss processes, and how health care services can be of help to those living them. Methods: Drawing on in-depth interviews of 8 women and 2 men, the aim of this phenomenological study is to describe the experiences of adults who have been severely obese, who have lost weight and maintained weight loss for the long term (>5 years). Results: Findings show that after severe obesity, sustained weight loss has no endpoint, yet is always easy to end. Keeping weight off means committing to oneself, continuing profound changes and cultivating sensitivity towards oneself and others. A phenomenological understanding of sustained weight loss can inform professionals who deal with health issues and challenges occurring in the life of people leaving severe obesity.
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1748-2631
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publishDate 2018-01-01
publisher Taylor & Francis Group
record_format Article
series International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being
spelling doaj-art-cc88be97e5bb4a02b5de1fb0a41139dc2025-08-20T01:47:36ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being1748-26231748-26312018-01-0113110.1080/17482631.2018.14877621487762Living a successful weight loss after severe obesityEli Natvik0Målfrid Råheim1John Roger Andersen2Christian Moltu3Western Norway University of Applied SciencesUniversity of BergenWestern Norway University of Applied SciencesWestern Norway University of Applied SciencesPurpose: Losing weight and keeping it off for the long term is difficult. Weight regain is common. Experiences of successful non-surgical weight loss after severe obesity are largely unexplored. We know little about long-term weight loss processes, and how health care services can be of help to those living them. Methods: Drawing on in-depth interviews of 8 women and 2 men, the aim of this phenomenological study is to describe the experiences of adults who have been severely obese, who have lost weight and maintained weight loss for the long term (>5 years). Results: Findings show that after severe obesity, sustained weight loss has no endpoint, yet is always easy to end. Keeping weight off means committing to oneself, continuing profound changes and cultivating sensitivity towards oneself and others. A phenomenological understanding of sustained weight loss can inform professionals who deal with health issues and challenges occurring in the life of people leaving severe obesity.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2018.1487762embodiment/bodily experienceslifestyle changelived experienceobesityphenomenologywell-being
spellingShingle Eli Natvik
Målfrid Råheim
John Roger Andersen
Christian Moltu
Living a successful weight loss after severe obesity
International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being
embodiment/bodily experiences
lifestyle change
lived experience
obesity
phenomenology
well-being
title Living a successful weight loss after severe obesity
title_full Living a successful weight loss after severe obesity
title_fullStr Living a successful weight loss after severe obesity
title_full_unstemmed Living a successful weight loss after severe obesity
title_short Living a successful weight loss after severe obesity
title_sort living a successful weight loss after severe obesity
topic embodiment/bodily experiences
lifestyle change
lived experience
obesity
phenomenology
well-being
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2018.1487762
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AT christianmoltu livingasuccessfulweightlossaftersevereobesity