More than Meets the Eye: A Qualitative Investigation of the Complex Weight History Constructions of Brazilian Women Who Underwent Bariatric Surgery

Authors

  • Mariana Dimitrov Ulian

    School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Department of Nutrition, São Paulo, SP, 01246-904, Brazil
  • Ramiro Fernandez Unsain

    School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Department of Nutrition, São Paulo, SP, 01246-904, Brazil
  • Ruth Rocha Franco

    Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Children’s Institute, Hospital das Clínicas of the School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05403.000, Brazil
  • Marco Aurélio Santo

    Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Unity, Digestive System Surgery Division, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05403.000, Brazil
  • Alexandra Brewis

    School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85281, United States of America
  • Sarah Trainer

    Seattle University, Seattle, WA, 98122, United States of America
  • Cindi SturtzSreetharan

    School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85281, United States of America
  • Amber Wutich

    School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85281, United States of America
  • Bruno Gualano

    School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85281, United States of America
  • Fernanda Baeza Scagliusi

    School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Department of Nutrition, São Paulo, SP, 01246-904, Brazil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jpr.v5i4.5981

Abstract

Most studies on bariatric surgery identify personal factors such as “non-compliance” to lifestyle changes as the cause of weight gain and subsequent inability to lose weight. Prior qualitative studies suggest that weight loss patients have complicated relationships with both self and weight, with significant emotional and psychological implications. But how do patients themselves understand the trajectories of their weight gain as related to intrinsic versus extrinsic factors? A qualitative analysis examined the aspects involved in the construction of higher body weight from the perspectives and life experiences of Brazilian women who underwent bariatric surgery, considering that Brazil has previously been reported as a highly anti-fat society. Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirty women (15 aged 33-59 and 15 aged 63-72). Data were analyzed identifying the regular, expressive, and meaningful significance units identified through the interviews. Although it was expected that different life events were reported as crucial to the perceived aetiology of individual weight gain stories, the participants reported that the emotional aspects had more impact. The extremely high value attached to having a particular body weight negatively influenced the participants’ concept of identity and harmed their interactions and understanding of what it meant to be fully loved and accepted. Most of the participants underscored the importance of food in women’s lived experiences and explanations of weight gain. Despite this somatic response being dysfunctionally directed to food, this mechanism seemed to be vital to keeping them alive and engaged in the world. Finally, the participants faced layered vulnerabilities, which decreased their opportunities to access resources aimed at better body weight management. Broad approaches that consider emotional and physical care strategies must be proposed to this population.

Keywords:

Mental health, Bariatric surgery, Obesity, Body weight, Stigma; Brazil, Qualitative investigation

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How to Cite

Dimitrov Ulian, M., Fernandez Unsain, R., Rocha Franco, R., Aurélio Santo, M., Brewis, A., Trainer, S., SturtzSreetharan, C., Wutich, A., Gualano, B., & Baeza Scagliusi, F. (2023). More than Meets the Eye: A Qualitative Investigation of the Complex Weight History Constructions of Brazilian Women Who Underwent Bariatric Surgery. Journal of Psychological Research, 5(4), 50–67. https://doi.org/10.30564/jpr.v5i4.5981

Issue

Vol. 5 , Iss. 4 (October 2023)

Article Type

Article

License

Copyright © 2023 Mariana Dimitrov Ulian, Ramiro Fernandez Unsain, Ruth Rocha Franco, Marco Aurélio Santo, Alexandra Brewis, Sarah Trainer, Cindi SturtzSreetharan, Amber Wutich, Bruno Gualano, Fernanda Baeza Scagliusi

Creative Commons License

This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.

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