Game Changer: A Phenomenological Study on Experiences of Female Obese Teenagers Who Underwent Extensive Diet and Exercise

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Cases of obesity and overweight are truly alarming as it indicates many consequences, especially to teenagers nowadays. In the inevitable inclination of the prevalence of obesity, there is a limitation of current efforts to control and reduce obesity rate, not only globally but here in the Philippines specifically. A study suggested by Jasul & Sy (2011), there is still a need to conduct a study on the experiences of female obese teenagers. Conducting this kind of study in the Philippines would be additional literature on this field I describing the experiences of female obese teenagers who underwent extensive workout and diet.

METHODS

Qualitative phenomenology was used in the study. Six female obese teenagers with a Body Mass Index of 30 to 40 who underwent extensive diet and exercise age thirteen to nineteen (13-19) years old were purposively selected as participants of the study. A semi-structured interview was individually conducted. The study was guided by the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). It includes reading, re-reading of transcribed interviews, coding, developing of themes, and finding comparisons and or connections between emerged themes.

RESULTS

After the analysis of data, the participants' experiences were: (1) struggles on exercise/ workout, (2) struggles on dieting, (3) disappointment for not getting the desired outcome in a short period of time, (4) disincentives while undergoing extensive diet and exercise, (5) self-motivation, (6) burn out due to extensive exercise, and (7) weight loss and healthy body.

DISCUSSIONS

Undergoing an extensive diet and exercise is difficult. Moreover, doing exercise and diet, in the beginning, is easy, but after several months the participants already feel worn out and disincentive. But through self-motivation and self-discipline, they were able to endure hardships and struggles. In general, through extensive diet and exercise female obese teenager succeed in achieving their goal which is to lose weight and normalize their Body Mass Index (BMI).