We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Perceptions of Obesity in Old Age: A Qualitative Study.
- Authors
von Humboldt, S.; Ilyas, N.; Leal, I.
- Abstract
Introduction: The relationship between obesity and mental health in old age is complex and widely impacted by different biological, psychological, and social factors. Objectives: The primary objectives of this qualitative research study are: a) To understand the influence of obesity on older adults' well-being; b) to assess emotional experiences related to obesity in old age and; c) to explore how obesity influences the mental health of older adults. Methods: This study included 346 participants aged 65 to 84 years (M =73.9; SD =5.61) from three different nationalities (English, Spanish, and Portuguese). All interviews went through content analysis. Results: This study identified four main themes regarding the influence of obesity on older adults' well-being: (1) Insatisfaction with Body Image (66%); (2) Feeling embarrassed (65%); (3) Feeling Social Isolated (57%); and (4) Lost Opportunities (46%)Three main themes for emotional experiences were frequently verbalized by the participants: (1) Shame (81%); (2) Guilt (78%); and (2) Incompetence (76%). Finally, three main influences in mental health due to obesity were reported: (1) Self-concept (88%); (2) Stress (78%); and (3) Melancholia (63%). Conclusions: These results highlighted that obesity negatively influences older adults' well-being and emotional experiences and has serious mental health-related negative outcomes for older adults. Interventions like community-based weight loss programs can be effective in controlling weight and improving the social interaction of obese older adults. Keywords: Emotional experiences; mental health; obesity; older adults; well-being. Disclosure of Interest: None Declared
- Subjects
OLDER people; WEIGHT loss; OLD age; BODY image; EMOTIONAL experience; SHAME; COMPULSIVE eating
- Publication
European Psychiatry, 2024, Vol 67, pS562
- ISSN
0924-9338
- Publication type
Abstract
- DOI
10.1192/j.eurpsy.2024.1169