‘I Think It’s Cool That You Can Go from Thinking That Exercising Is No Fun at All to Actually Kind of Loving It.’ : Experiences of Long-Term Regular Participation in Physical Activity in Adolescents Who Have or Have Had Obesity

• Introduction: Childhood obesity is associated with cardiometabolic and psychosocial comorbidity, weight stigma, and premature adult mortality. Physical activity provides many health benefits for adolescents with obesity.Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore what experiences adolescents who have or have had obesity between 13–18 years of age have from long-term participation in regular physical activity in a lifestyle intervention.Method: Semi-structured interviews were performed with nine adolescents (five girls, four boys) ages 13–18 years who had been participating in physical activity in a regular way in this intervention. They had been participating for one to six years (average 2.8 years). Qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach was used to analyse the data.Result: The adolescent’s experiences of regular physical activity in this intervention was divided into three categories: 1) to experience the joy of movement; 2) to experience influence of the group; 3) to experience personal development. An inclusive and accepting group increased positive feelings of participation and they experienced that they achieved weight loss, improved self-esteem, and generally felt better when they started to be physically active.Conclusion: When adolescents who have or have had obesity are given the proper circumstances for physical activity, they experience it as fun and self-developing. It is important for adolescents to be allowed to be with friends with similar experiences and be among individuals they feel comfortable with and connected to. © 2023 The Author(s).

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Idrottsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Sport and Fitness Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

adolescent obesity

physical activity

health

motivation

sport

M4HP - Movement for health and performance

M4HP - Movement for health and performance

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