‘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

Abstract

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.