Authors
Kath Williamson, Michael EJ Lean, David N Blane
Publication date
2024
Journal
Health & Social Care in the Community
Volume
2024
Issue
1
Pages
5520608
Publisher
Hindawi
Description
Evidence indicates growing demand on community health and social care services by people with severe obesity (BMI ≥40 kg/m2), often due to functional limitations. The experiences of this population are largely unexplored. As part of a larger mixed‐methods study, this qualitative study explored the lived experience of people with severe obesity using community health and social care services. Participants were recruited via community professionals and visited at home. They consented to individual, audio‐recorded, semistructured interviews, which were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Nine women and three men (n = 12) participated, aged 40–76 (mean 60) years, BMI ranged from 45 to 74 (mean 59) kg/m2, and eight were housebound. Three overarching themes were identified. Firstly, the hidden struggles of living with a larger body affected all participants, including functional limitations …