Experience of an Obese Person

Abstract

The researchers conducted this study because people are always stating the
prevalence of obesity and others that are objective. Though, they did not try to understand
obese people and also did not consider their feelings. The researchers wanted to explore
the deep meaning of obesity in terms of subjectivity such as feelings and thoughts. In this
research, people will understand the sides and perspectives of obese people better. The
problem is that people knew little about those obese people. So, in this study, researchers
would describe and explain the experience of an obese. Specifically, it lies on how his/her
weight affect his/her lifestyle, how he/she cope up with body shaming issues and lastly
how he/she see himself/herself towards society. The research design used was qualitative
specifically narrative research. The researchers conducted the study in Compostela, Cebu;
it is located at the northern tip of Cebu. The participant in this study was selected through
purposive sampling. The researchers chose a student from the University of Cebu - Banilad
Campus to be the participant who is fit to this study. To ensure the trustworthiness of the
data, researchers used the triangulation method with the help of the key informants which
are closely related to the participant. The researchers hid the true identity of the participant
to ensure full confidentiality and to protect the participant from any form of harm and
fallacies. The researchers used interview questionnaire, field notes, and audio recorder to
increase the credibility of the study. The researchers accumulated the data by having an
interview with the use of those instruments. The researchers gave the participant a consent
form and received his approval for conducting an interview. In addition, member checking
served as to lessen the probability of having wrong interpretation of the data. In this study,
thematic analysis was utilized by the researchers. The first phase was transcription where
researchers encoded the words or answers given by the participant with the help of audio
recorder. The next phase was coding where researchers interpreted every written data they
have transcribed and find meaning. And the final phase is themes where researchers
categorized all constructed codes. Furthermore, the researchers asked other group of
researchers to check and evaluate the interpretation of the data in this study. The themes
are Change in Lifestyle, Dealing Body Shaming, and lastly, Person as an Individual and
Social. In this study, that something is the physical appearance of the participant which
made it as a first and main cause of changing his lifestyle. Dealing body shaming deals
with people making fun of other people body structure. There are many challenges to face
before one feels compassion acceptance and ultimately love for their body. People have
sole responsibility to be who they want to be. In person as an individual and social, every
person sees itself and does things what he/she want for itself. But though, everyone has
also responsibility in society and needs to act and play its role for the better and improving
its home and community. The researchers concluded that the participant was strongly
affected by the events that had occurred to him regarding his obesity. However, he tried to
change his lifestyle and cope with body shaming in a way of seeking supports from his
loved ones. And also, the participant sees himself as a fine person. Despite all those hate
and desolation, he did not let it be a hindrance for him to achieve his goals and dreams,
instead, he turned it into an inspiration, so that he can manage to live life as it is, after all,
we are living in a world of judgment, hate, and dissatisfaction.

Keywords
weight, obesity, experience, lifestyle, body shaming, individual, social, body, and change

Introduction

Personal life is the course of an individual’s, especially when viewed as the sum of
personal choices contributing to one’s personal identity. All people have their unique way
of living. But sometimes, other people have different perspective in life which leads them
to judge others’ background. Take for example, obesity, which is a condition that affects
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our internal organs which may lead to organ failure. Obesity is a growing epidemic, but
prevention efforts have not been successful. To a great extent, this is due to the challenging
task of changing the way people eat, move, and live. Obesity is both a biological and social
problem and must be considered as a function of these larger contexts. Several
organizational units conduct and support research on a broad range of areas related to
excess weight gain, including the causes, effects, prevention and treatment of obesity and
related conditions.

Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that
presents a risk to health. A crude population measure of obesity is the body mass index
(BMI), a person’s weight (in kg) divided by the square of his or her height (in meters). A
person with a BMI of 30 or more is generally considered obese. A person with a BMI equal
to or more than 25 is considered overweight (World Health Organization, n.d.).

Obesity can be also measured by Waist Circumference. Waist circumference is a

measurement taken around the abdomen at the level of the umbilicus (belly button). Health
experts use waist circumference to screen patients for possible weight-related health
problems. But you can also learn how to measure waist circumference at home (Frey,
2018).

Some recent WHO global estimates the prevalence of obesity, in 2016. An

estimated 41 million children under the age of 5 years were overweight or obese. And,
more than 1.9 billion adults aged 18 years and older were overweight. Of these over 650
million adults were obese. While just under 1% of children and adolescents aged 5-19 were
obese in 1975, more 124 million children and adolescents (6% of girls and 8% of boys)
were obese in 2016. And also, 39% of adults aged 18 years and over (39% of men and 40%
of women) were overweight. Overall, about 13% of the world’s adult population (11% of
men and 15% of women) were obese. The worldwide prevalence of obesity nearly tripled
between 1975 and 2016 (WHO, 2018).

Although Asian countries have some of the lowest prevalence of overweight and
obesity worldwide, they are experiencing alarming rates of increase in recent years. The
boom in economic development and cultural factors are often cited as drivers. Knowledge
about trends in overweight and obesity is important for underwriting this increasingly
common risk group (Cheong, 2014).

Previously considered an epidemic of developed countries, in recent years the

growing burden of obesity has affected most regions, including Southeast Asia. In
Southeast Asia, like other parts of the world, obesity is considered one of the key risk
factors for chronic and non-communicable disease. Its burden on health is reflected by the
Global Burden of Disease project report. In 1990, high BMI was ranked the 23rd most
important risk factor for SE Asia, and by 2010 it was 9th (Angkurawaranon,
Jiraporncharoen, Chenthanakij, Doyle, & Nitsch, 2014).

Among the six countries studied, the Philippines has the second-lowest obesity and
overweight prevalence at 5.1 percent and 23.6 percent, respectively. But despite low
prevalence rates, obesity has a strong impact in the Philippines due to the large number of
obese persons in the country—18 million Filipinos are obese and overweight (Tacio, 2017).

To sum up, the statistics show how alarming obesity world widely in these days.
Indeed, the Asian countries, like Philippines, have some of the lowest prevalence of obesity
and overweight, but the undeniable fact that the number of obesity and overweight is
increasing over the time should still be look into. Since the Philippines is known to be the
second-lowest obesity and overweight prevalence, it’s so rare to see in this local city. So,
luckily, one of the researchers and some of his relatives are overweight. So, researchers
choose the municipality of San Remegio to observe and gather data.
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All in all, from local to global, the obesity has big psychological impacts to all
aspects of individual’s life. But all of these are objective and people did not try to
understand the obese people and did not also consider their feelings. Hence, they knew
little about them.

Consequently, the researchers would like to conduct this study to describe the
experiences of an obese or overweight person as it is important to understand the side of
obese people. Specifically, it lies on how he/she respond to social criticism, how his/her
weight affect his/her lifestyle, how he/she cope up with body shaming issues and lastly
how he/she see himself/herself towards society.

Review of Related Literature

Health Conditions

Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to an

extent that it may have a negative impact on health. Obesity increases the likelihood of
various diseases and conditions, particularly cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes,
obstructive sleep apnea, a certain type of cancer, osteoarthritis, and depression. Obesity is
most commonly caused by a combination of excessive food intake, lack of physical
activity, and genetic susceptibility. A few cases are caused primarily by genes, endocrine
disorders, medications, or mental disorder. The view that obese people eat little yet gain
weight due to a slow metabolism is not a metabolism is not medically supported. On
average, obese people have a greater energy expenditure than their normal counterparts
due to the energy required to maintain an increased body mass. Obesity is mostly
preventable through a combination of social changes and personal choices. Changes to diet
and exercising are main treatments. Diet quality can be improved by reducing the
consumption of energy-dense foods, such as those high in fat or sugars, and by increasing
the intake of dietary fiber. Overweight and obesity together make up one of the leading
preventable causes of death (Brazier, 2018).

The study of Increasing Serum Cholesterol Level among Obese Patients identified
the factors affecting the widespread of the level of serum cholesterol among adult obese
patients admitted to government hospitals in the eastern part of Sri Lanka and identified
the number of adult obese patients with increasing serum cholesterol level. A descriptive
cross-sectional study design was used. Convenience sampling technique helped select 150
patients in medical wards and clinics of two government hospitals in the eastern province
of Sri Lanka, and Questionnaires were distributed for data analysis. Overall findings of 150
obese patients regarding increasing serum cholesterol level admitted in the medical wards
and follow-up at medical clinics had 59% in moderate risk, 36% with high risk, and 2%
with a minimal risk of increasing serum cholesterol level. Gender was a factor, which
brings about 49.3% (n = 74) of the respondents were female and 50.7% (n = 76) were male.
About 59% of participants had 130–159 mg/dl of total cholesterol level while 36% had
160–189 mg/dl and 1% had lower than 100 mg/dl. It was also identified that age and co-
morbidities of obesity are factors that affect an increasing serum cholesterol level (Dioso,
Shalina, & Judenimal, 2017).

Obesity is strongly associated with the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver

disease (NAFLD) in adult and pediatric populations. Nutrition, physical activity, and
behavioral modifications are critical components of the treatment regimen for all obese
patients with NAFLD. Bariatric surgeries that affect or restrict the flow of food through
the gastrointestinal tract may improve liver histology in morbidly obese patients with
nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), although randomized clinical trials and quasi-
randomized clinical studies are lacking. Early detection of NASH and hepatic fibrosis using
noninvasive biochemical and imaging markers that may replace liver biopsy is the current
challenge (Younossi, 2014).
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Obesity predisposes to heart failure through several different mechanisms:

increased total blood volume, increased cardiac output, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH),
left ventricular diastollic dysfunction, and adipositas cordis (excessive epicardial fat and
fatty infiltration of the myocardium) (Ferri, 2014).

Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes, cardiovascular disease events, cancer and
overall mortality. Weight loss may protect against these conditions, but robust evidence for
this has been lacking. The Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) study is the first long‐term,
prospective, controlled trial to provide information on the effects of bariatric surgery on
the incidence of these objective endpoints. The SOS study involved obese subjects who
underwent bariatric surgery [gastric bypass (13%), banding (19%) and vertical banded
gastroplasty (68%)] and 2037 contemporaneously matched obese control subjects
receiving usual care. The age of participants was 37–60 years and body mass index (BMI)
was ≥34 kg m−2 in men and ≥38 kg m−2 in women (Sjostrom, 2013).

Dementia and obesity have become global public health issues. Dementia and its
most common cause, Alzheimer's disease (AD), is associated with a progressive loss of
memory and speech, as well as deficits in other cognitive domains such as executive or
attentional functions of daily living. Obesity is known to be a risk factor for diabetes,
cardiovascular disease, and cancer, and thus, it has multiple health implications. Recently,
evidence has shown that excess body fat in midlife (40‐59 years) is a major risk factor of
dementia later in life (Loef & Walach, 2013).

Physical Characteristics

In the past three decades, total fat and saturated fat intake as a percentage of total
calories has continuously decreased in Western diets, while the intake of omega-6 fatty
acid increased and the omega-3 fatty acid decreased, resulting in a large increase in the
omega-6/omega-3 ratio from 1:1 during evolution to 20:1 today or even higher. This
change in the composition of fatty acids parallels a significant increase in the prevalence
of overweight and obesity. Experimental studies have suggested that omega-6 and omega-
3 fatty acids elicit divergent effects on body fat gain through mechanisms of adipogenesis,
browning of adipose tissue, lipid homeostasis, brain-gut-adipose tissue axis, and most
importantly systemic inflammation. Prospective studies clearly show an increase in the risk
of obesity as the level of omega-6 fatty acids and the omega-6/omega-3 ratio increase in
red blood cell (RBC) membrane phospholipids, whereas high omega-3 RBC membrane
phospholipids decrease the risk of obesity. Recent studies in humans show that in addition
to absolute amounts of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acid intake, the omega-6/omega-3 ratio
plays an important role in increasing the development of obesity via both AA eicosanoid
metabolites and hyperactivity of the cannabinoid system, which can be reversed with
increased intake of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). A
balanced omega-6/omega-3 ratio is important for health and in the prevention and
management of obesity (Simopoulos, 2016).

It has long been known that there is a genetic component to obesity, and that
characterizing this underlying factor would likely offer the possibility of better intervention
in the future. Monogenic obesity has proved to be relatively straightforward, with a
combination of linkage analysis and mouse models facilitating the identification of
multiple genes. In contrast, genome-wide association studies have successfully revealed a
variety of genetic loci associated with the more common form of obesity, allowing for very
strong consensus on the underlying genetic architecture of the phenotype for the first time.
Although a number of significant findings have been made, it appears that very little of the
apparent heritability of body mass index has actually been explained to date. New
approaches for data analyses and advances in technology will be required to uncover the
elusive missing heritability, and to aid in the identification of the key causative genetic
underpinnings of obesity (Xia & Grant, 2013).
 5

Obesity is defined using cut points of body mass index (BMI). BMI does not
measure body fat directly, and the relationship between BMI and body fat varies by sex,
age, and race and Hispanic origin. Morbidity and mortality risk may vary between different
racial and Hispanic origin groups at the same BMI. Some studies suggest that among some
Asian subgroups, health and mortality risks may begin at a lower BMI compared with other
racial and Hispanic origin groups (Sobol-Goldberg, Rabinowitz, & Gross, 2013).

Approximately one-third of the US population is obese, and data suggest that

obesity has a complex, heterogeneous etiology. Identifying and conceptualizing specific
subtypes can lead to more targeted prevention and treatment strategies. Binge eating
disorder (BED) is characterized by recurring episodes of binge eating (defined as eating
unusually large quantities of food while experiencing a subjective sense of loss of control
over the eating) and marked distress, yet without the weight-compensatory behaviors that
define bulimia nervosa. BED is strongly associated with obesity but also differs from other
forms of obesity and eating disorders in behavioral, body-image, psychological, and
psychiatric domains. Persons with BED consume more calories and feel relatively less full
after eating meals relative to non-BED obese individuals. Group differences also extend to
non-food stimuli; BED is associated with impairments on executive tasks of cognitive
flexibility, suggesting more general cognitive or self-regulation difficulties. Consistent
with this notion, BED is associated with greater psychiatric comorbidity, and binge‐eating
status, rather than obesity, accounts for many observed differences in psychological and
psychiatric domains (Balodis et al., 2013).

Obese individuals are highly stigmatized and face multiple forms of prejudice and
discrimination because of their weight. Weight bias translates into inequities in
employment settings, health-care facilities, and educational institutions, often due to
widespread negative stereotypes that overweight and obese persons are lazy, unmotivated,
lacking in self-discipline, less competent, non-compliant, and sloppy. According to
statistics, 26. 6 percent of Filipinos are overweight and 5. 2 Filipinos are obese. Not only
the figures nearly doubled after almost two decades but studies showed that the occurrence
of these conditions steadily goes up since early 1990’s (Puhl & Heuer, 2012).

Obesity in More Perspective

Overweight prevalence was 13.4% for females, 12.6% for males and obesity was
15.0% for females and 8.3% for males. The prevalence of both was increased by age and
were similar among high socio-economic group (13.4% overweight and 12.4% obese) and
low socio-economic group (12.2 % overweight and 10.9% obese). The level of physical
activity was not different among overweight and obese versus normal subjects. The
prevalence of central obesity was 15.3%, among overweight and 49.9% among obese. The
prevalence of hypertension was 13.4% among overweight and 21.0% among obese in
comparison to 9.7% among normal subjects. The prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance
and diabetes mellitus was 6.1% and 2.2% among overweight; 8.9% and 1.4% among obese
subjects. Determinant factors for overweight and obesity were older age (OR= 1.72, 95%
CI 1.66-1.76); female gender (OR=1.33, CI 1.29 – 1.37); work as housewife, government
official, armed force personnel, policeman, private businessman (OR=1.41, CI 1.37-1.46);
higher per capita income (OR= 1.09, CI: 1.06 -1.13) and living in urban area (OR=1.13,
CI: 1.09 -1.17) (Mihardja & Soetrismo, 2014).

The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide, with the condition predicted to

affect more than one billion people by the year 2020. Excess adiposity, particularly central
adiposity, is a key causal factor in the development of insulin resistance, the hallmark of
the metabolic syndrome (MetS). In addition to abdominal obesity the MetS is characterized
by dyslipidemia and hypertension, which are associated with increased risk of type 2
diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). A number of adiposity
measures are currently used as diagnostic tools in overweight and obesity classification
including waist circumference (WC), BMI, and body fat percentage (BF%). WC is the only
 6

adiposity measure included in the current International Diabetes Federation and National
Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III report (NCEP ATP III) MetS
definitions. However, WC does not take whole body fat distribution into consideration.
Moreover, prevalence of the MetS has been shown to increase across BMI categories with
approximately twofold higher prevalence in the severely obese compared with nonobese.
However, BMI, the traditional diagnostic tool, is also limited because it does not
discriminate between lean and fat body mass. Recent data from a large cross‐sectional
study suggest that using BMI may under estimate obesity prevalence defined as excess
body fat, particularly in overweight individuals. Simultaneous comparison of the
association between WC, BMI and BF% with CVD risk showed that WC and BF% were
more strongly associated with MetS and CVD risk, respectively. Furthermore, recent
examination of markers of glucose metabolism according to obesity classification revealed
that BF% may be a better determinant for pre-diabetes and T2DM development (Phillips
et al., 2013).

Obesity has become a major worldwide health problem. In every single country in
the world, the incidence of obesity is rising continuously and therefore, the associated
morbidity, mortality and both medical and economical costs are expected to increase as
well. The majority of these complications are related to co-morbid conditions that include
coronary artery disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, respiratory disorders and
dyslipidemia. Obesity increases cardiovascular risk through risk factors such as increased
fasting plasma triglycerides, high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, elevated blood
glucose and insulin levels and high blood pressure. Novel lipid dependent, metabolic risk
factors associated to obesity are the presence of the small dense LDL phenotype,
postprandial hyperlipidemia with accumulation of atherogenic remnants and hepatic
overproduction of apoB containing lipoproteins. All these lipid abnormalities are typical
features of the metabolic syndrome and may be associated to a pro-inflammatory gradient
which in part may originate in the adipose tissue itself and directly affect the endothelium.
An important link between obesity, the metabolic syndrome and dyslipidemia, seems to be
the development of insulin resistance in peripheral tissues leading to an enhanced hepatic
flux of fatty acids from dietary sources, intravascular lipolysis and from adipose tissue
resistant to the antilipolytic effects of insulin. The current review will focus on these
aspects of lipid metabolism in obesity and potential interventions to treat the obesity related
dyslipidemia (Klop, Elte, & Cabezas, 2013).

This narrative research is important as to know the perspective of an obese or

overweight. By doing this study, it will be a great help as it is a bridge for those certain
people to society to speak out and express their feelings. The life and the experiences
he/she had been through could let the people be open to understand obese people and this
would lead to lessen the discrimination, which is entirely different from other studies.
Their studies are all about what they observe and perceived about the outside of the obese
people, they didn’t conduct the inside like what are the feelings and thoughts of those
obese people. And most of all, they didn’t mention of what they went through and even
how to solve about the real-problem, the self-doubt and self-distrust because of social
criticism. This study also explains despite of many negative conditions and effects of
being obesity, why still staying in that life and this would likely shock the people.

Methodology

This stage of the study clearly defines the research methods used to conduct the
study. The researchers explained how the necessary data were collected to address the
research purpose. Reasons and justifications for research design, setting, participants,
instruments, data collection and data analysis were given. Plus, the consideration for
participant and reflexivity of researchers were included.

Research Design
 7

The research design refers to the overall strategy that you choose to integrate the
different components of the study in a coherent and logical way, thereby, ensuring you
will effectively address the research problem; it constitutes the blueprint for the
collection, measurement, and analysis of data. Note that your research problem
determines the type of design you should use, not the other way around (University of
Southern California, 2019). And in this study, the research design used is qualitative.

Qualitative research is a type of social science research that collects and work with
non-numerical data and that seeks to interpret meaning from these data that help us
understand social life through the study of targeted population or places (Crossman, 2019).
Qualitative methods are used to answer questions about experience, meaning and
perspective, most often from the standpoint of the participant (Hammarberg, Kirkman, &
de Lacey, 2016). In this qualitative research, researchers distinctly used narrative research.

Narrative research is a term that subsumes a group of approaches that in turn rely
on the written or spoken words or visual representation of individuals. These approaches
typically focus on the lives of individuals as told through their own stories. The emphasis
in such approaches is on the story, typically both what and how is narrated (Atlas.ti, 2019).

This research design was fit to the study since it is more on subjective. The design
used was qualitative research as to discuss the quality or behaviour of the participant. Then,
choosing specifically narrative research made it perfect suit to study to exactly learn and
gather data about experience of an obese. Hence, the researchers could answer the problem
of the study.

Research Setting

The researchers conducted the study at Compostela, Cebu for it is the preferred
location of the participant. Compostela sits in the northern tip of Cebu, located in the center
of Danao and Liloan, it provides ample and justified results that make it a perfect location
for the research. The location of the said community gives additional facts and information
that complies with the resources that we now have. It intensifies the amount of work done
in order to attest the results gathered from the study. The problem of the setting is that
Compostela is a remote and confined area making it harder for the researchers to conduct
their study. Even though the setting is quite pristine, still the researchers find ways to make
everything easier and more definite. Therefore, Compostela makes the perfect location for
us to conduct the research.

Research Participants

The participant in this study was selected through purposive sampling. Purposive
sampling is a widely used in qualitative research for the identification and selection of
information-rich cases related to the phenomenon of interest. Although, there are several
different purposeful sampling strategies, criterion sampling appears to be used most
commonly in implementation of research; However, combining sampling strategies maybe
more appropriate to the aims of implementation research and more consistent with recent
developments in quantitative methods (Palinkas, Horwitz, & Hoagwood, 2015)

Purposive sampling fitted to this study because the researchers use identification
and selection on a particular participant since this study focuses on the experiences of an
obese. For that reason, it can greatly establish a successful research.

We chose a student of University of Cebu - Banilad Campus to be our research

participant because he fits our research description about obesity. The participant was fitted
to the study because he has all the information and the resources that we need. The
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participant also has some certain implications that could greatly help in the advancement
of this study.

Triangulation of different sources of information was used in order to increase the

validity of the study. In extension, these sources are likely to be stakeholders in a program.
In depth interviews could be conducted with each of these groups to gain insight into their
perspectives on program outcomes. During the analysis stage, feedback from the
stakeholder groups would be compared to determine areas of agreement as well as areas of
divergence (Guion, Diehi, & McDonald, 2019).

To ensure the trustworthiness of the data, researchers used the triangulation method
with the help of the key informants. The key informants of this study were relatives of the
participant. They were chosen as the key informants because they are closely related to the
participant, thus making them the perfect key informants for the study. They also knew the
well-being of the participant because they were the once that stood beside the participant
from the start.

Instruments

The researchers used interview questionnaire, audio recorder, and field notes to
increase the credibility of this study.

First instrument used was the questionnaire. The participant in this study was
interviewed through research questionnaires. A questionnaire is a research instrument
consisting of a series of questions for the purpose of gathering information from
respondents. Questionnaires can be taught of as a kind of a written interview (McLeod,
2018).

The second instrument used was voice recorder. A voice recorder is a digital,
handheld device that is used to record short reminders. Very lightweight and typically using
AAA batteries, such devices use flash memory to hold up to one hundred messages and
more (Computer Language Company, 2018). This instrument was started recording before
the interview to ensure that all data were recorded. For that reason, the researchers could
listen again for in case that they missed out to write some details for field note, which is
the last instrument used.

Field notes are made by the researchers in the course of qualitative field work. Often
observations of the participants, location, or events. These may constitute the whole data
collected for a project (AQR, 2018). This instrument was used to list down important and
concise data.

These instruments were important for the study because they provided exact
information and exact data collection that greatly helped in the progress of the research, it
also adds credibility and truthful facts to the research. Through these instruments, the
researchers can be able to justify the truth behind obesity.

Data Collection

Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on variables

of interest, in an established systematic fashion that enables one to answer stated research
questions, test hypotheses, and evaluate outcomes (Most, Craddick, et.al, 2003).

In this part of the study, the researchers aim to achieve the main goal of the study
which is to fully understand the effects of being overweight or obese. The researchers also
aim to gather sufficient information to support the details that it implies.
 9

The researchers accumulated the data by having an interview. The participant was
interviewed face to face plus the help of instruments which are questionnaire, audio
recorder, and field notes to better gain trustworthiness of results. But before that, the
researchers gave a consent form to the participant and gained approval for conducting
interview. The researchers met the participant through thorough search, and various tests.
The researchers gained enough results to answer the problem of this study. From the
collected data, further analysis was done to extract profound meanings from the
participant/s and to proceed additional conclusions.

Data Analysis

Data analysis is the process of evaluating data using analytical and statistical tools
to discover useful information and aid in business decision making (Stridhar, 2018). For
any research, data analysis is very important as it provides an explanation of various
concepts, theories, frameworks and methods used. It eventually helps in arriving at
conclusions and proving the hypothesis. In qualitative research, any non-numerical data
like text or individual words are analyzed (Dissertation India, 2013).

In this study, thematic analyses were utilized by the researchers. Thematic analysis
is a flexible data analysis plan that qualitative researchers use to generate themes from
interview data. This approach is flexible in that there is no specific research design
associated with thematic analysis; it can be utilized for case studies, phenomenology,
generic qualitative, and narrative inquiry to name a few. This data analysis plan is perfect
for both novice and expert qualitative researchers because the steps are easy to follow but
rigorous enough to generate meaningful findings from the data (Braun and Clark, 2013).
This type of analysis has been the researchers guide in interpreting, coding and theme
reviewing of the data gathered.

The first phase in thematic analysis is transcription. Transcription is an integral

process in the qualitative analysis of language data and is widely employed in basic and
applied research across a number of disciplines and in professional practice fields. Yet,
methodological and theoretical issues associated with the transcription process have
received scant attention in the research literature (Ladapat & Lindsay, 2004).

Transcription is an integral process in the qualitative analysis of language data

and is widely employed in basic and applied research across several disciplines and in
professional practice fields. Due to financial restraints in both educational institutions
and for individuals, transcribing audio and video materials that would otherwise be
beneficial for the research process are given a backseat or offloaded to inexperienced
interns or inferior outsourcing firms (Assens, 2018).

The researchers used transcription in a way to encode the words or the answers
recorded since the audio cannot be printed nor be encoded. Hence, all answers would be
direct in-text. This way, the researchers could analyze the data in a fully manner.

After the researchers were done with transcription, the second phase used was
coding of the data. Coding is described as how you define what the data you are analyzing
are about. It involves identifying and recording one or more passages of text or other data
items such as the parts of pictures that, in some sense, exemplify the same theoretical or
descriptive idea. Usually, several passages are identified and they are then linked with a
name for that idea – the code. Thus, all the text and so on that is about the same thing or
exemplifies the same thing is coded to the same name. Coding is a way of indexing or
categorizing the text in order to establish a framework of thematic ideas about it (Gibbs,
2007).

Coding is essential to view the text in a theoretical or analytical way rather than
merely approaching it with a descriptive focus. Intensive reading needs to take place
 10

during this process to ensure that you are able to identify all of the relevant ideas in the
text, including even the simplest (Gibbs, 2007).

In coding, researchers interpreted every written data they have transcribed and find
meaning. Afterwards, interpreted data was labeled based on their meaning. The
researchers, then, arranged and categorized the codes. The codes of the study were reflected
into themes.

In connection, researchers categorized all the constructed codes. In categorizing,

the researchers grouped the codes bearing the same meaning/interpretation and forming it
into themes which are the third phase of thematic analysis. The goal of a thematic analysis
is to identify themes, (i.e. patterns in the data that are important or interesting) and use
these themes to address the research or say something about an issue. This is much more
than simply summarizing the data; a good thematic analysis interprets and makes sense of
it. A common pitfall is to use the main interview questions as the themes (Clarke & Braun,
2013).

There are no hard and fast rules about what makes a theme. A theme is characterized
by its significance. If you have a very small data set (e.g. one short focus-group), there may
be considerable overlap between the coding stage and this stage of identifying preliminary
themes (Braun & Clarke, 2006). In this case, researchers examined and categorized the
codes and some of them clearly fitted and related to perceptions together into a theme.

The researchers made sure that there was no gap in conducting the research. The
researchers made a thorough review of the research to ensure its effectiveness. The
researchers also made a fair-played judgment to further analyze the contents of the
research. In other words, the researchers made sure that the information presented is firm
and legit. All the methods used were proven and tested to make the analysis of data not
biased.

Ethical Consideration

The researchers made sure that the participant’s identity was hidden. In addition,
the researchers also made sure that all the information given by the participant must be
confidential, and if the participant found out that these rules were violated, the researchers
would directly be held accountable. We also hid the identities of the key informants to
preserve their rights and to protect them from any form fallacies.

Researchers Reflexivity

The researchers used data triangulation in maintaining the objectivity of the

research. The researchers also made sure that all the information given was based on
subjective and coming from the chosen participant rather than self-observation.

As a researcher, the implications of such a positioning approach for

education researchers that no longer is it appropriate for the researcher to let the 'data speak
for themselves. Constant awareness and reflection on the multiple ways in which
one's positioning as a researcher influences the research process. In this way the credibility
of the information was checked and tested. Furthermore, member checking served to
decrease incorrect interpretation of data. During the interview, the researchers summarized
all the details and questioned the participant for accuracy. The researchers allowed the
participant to critically analyze and comment on them. The participant agreed for the
completeness that made the study credible. As a researcher, being objective minded in
conducting a research is substantial. The researchers were basing on facts instead of
opinions and feelings to ensure maximum credibility. There is no part of this study that
asserts opinion. The researchers make sure that there was no gap a presumptive result in
this research.
 11

Results and Discussion

This chapter discussed about the data gathered. The researchers presented the data
with the use of last step of thematic analysis, themes. This would show all the results in
fully manner. The researchers, then, interpreted the data results. Justified explanations for
the themes, results, and data interpretation were given.

Changes in Lifestyle

Lifestyle changes are process that takes time and require support. Once you’re
ready to make change, the difficult part is committing and following through (American
Psychological Association, 2019). Changes can happen anywhere on anytime to anyone.
Change could happen because something triggers it. In this study, that something is the
physical appearance of the participant which made it as a first and main cause of changing
his lifestyle. The participant explained that bullying is the experience he had the most in
his childhood time.

Participant stated that with the support of key informants:

“People often bully me for my hideous appearance.” (People often bully me for my
hideous appearance.)

“My son has been a shy-type kid since he was little.” (My son has been shy person
since he was little.)

“My cousin has always been a shy-type person.” (My cousin has always been a shy
person.)

The statements given by the participant shows that he was bullied many times but
he didn’t talk or share about it. His relatives seemed to think that he is shy person, though
he lost confidence and trust in himself so he doesn’t want to express his feelings. However,
the participant changed and he began to develop his self-esteem.
Participant stated that with the support of key informants:

“Yes, my eating habits, since I got involved in taekwondo.” (I changed specifically

my eating habits since he got involved in taekwondo.)

“Yes, since he started doing taekwondo, he began to develop self-confidence. He is

not ashamed of himself now anymore.” (He changed. Since he started taekwondo, he began
to develop self-confidence. He is not ashamed of himself anymore.)

“Since my cousin got involved in his physical activities, I noticed that his
overeating habits have finally faded away.” (Since he got involved in his physical activities,
I noticed that his overeating habits have finally faded away.)

The statements illustrate that the participant began to fight his problem. He tries to
change and improve to be a better person. The participant, then, change his food in-taking
and enrich his diet.

Participant stated that with the support of key informants:

“Yes, I have managed to eat less than before.” (I have managed to eat less than
before.)

“Yes, lately, my son has been eating less.” (He has been eating less.)
 12

“Yes, his eating habits aren’t huge compares before.” (His eating habits aren’t
huge compared before.)

From the statements above, the participant deals the changes he was doing. He
controls his diet and accepted the changes without worry.

Participant stated that with the support of key informant 2:

“I have accepted these changes with all of my heart, because I know that it is for
my own good.” (I have accepted those changes with all of my heart because I know that it
is for his own good.)

“He is resolute in doing this kind of routine.” (He was resolute in doing that kind
of routine.)

From the statements above, the participant accepted the changes and he was
resolute about it because he thinks that those changes would improve him. Then, he shows
positive response on that.

Participant stated that with the support of key informants:

“I think it is good, because I have learned to discipline myself.” (I think it was

good, because I had learned to discipline myself.)

“It was good, because who has managed to overcome his overeating habit.” (It
was good, because he had managed to overcome his overeating habit.)

“I think it is good, As I have noticed, he is beginning to have self-confidence.” (I

think it was good, because he began to have self-confidence.)

From the statements above, the participant thinks that it was good for him, and so
he began to develop self-confidence.

Dealing Body Shaming

Body-shaming is one of the biggest problems in today’s generation. It deals with

people making fun of other people body structure. In society, it is difficult to love the body
without effort. There are many challenges to face before one feels compassion acceptance
and ultimately love for their body (Psychology Today, 2019). The first thing that
participant did was accepting his character.

Participant stated that with the support of key informants:

“I think my condition is, tsk, quite okay.” (My condition was quite okay.)

“I think that … he is accepting his physical well-being.” (He was accepting his
physical well-being.)

“I think his condition is favorable.” (His condition was favorable.)

From the statements above, the participant and key informants think that his
condition is fine. But before, he was ashamed of his condition due to bullying.

Participant stated proven by both key informants 1 and 2:

“Yes, by bullying.” (By bullying)

 13

“When he was just a kid, he is often bullied … for his appearance.” (He was often
bullied for his appearance.)

“Yes, by bullying and body-shaming.” (By bullying and body-shaming)

The statements given by the participant with supports from both key informants
shows that he was bullied for his appearance. That’s when he found body shaming, it was
in his juvenile stage.

Participant stated that with the support of key informants:

“When I was just … a little kid.” (When I was just a little.)

“When he was just a little kid.” (When he was just a little.)

“When he was just a little boy.” (When he was just a little.)

From the statements above and before that, the participant had bad experience
when he was little that might enough to cause him not to cope up body shaming. Even
both key informants supported it also. However, the participant seek support from his
parents. Due to love from his parents, he felt comfortable.

Participant stated that with the support of key informants:

“Yes, from my parents, because they are the ones that are always there by my side
from the start.” (I seek support from my parents, because they were the ones that were
always there by my side from the start.)

“Yes, from me and his father, as a parent… it pains me to see him disappointed
and hurt.” (He seeks support from me and his father. As his parent, it pains me to see him
disappointed and hurt.)

“Yes, from his parents, because they were the ones that were always there for
him.” (He seeks support from his parents, because they were the ones that were always
there for him.)

The statements answered by participant shows that he seeks support from his
parents. This made him feel comfortable and gave courage to him to deal the body
shaming which proven by both key informants. He concludes that those support and love
from his family are enough to cope and deal the body shaming because he was inspired
from the supports of his parents.

Participant stated that with the support of key informants:

“Yes, hmm, based on my parents guidance and their um, what do you call that,
their, the important things that they have told me.” (Base on my parents guidance, and the
important things that they have told me.)

"Right from the start, we were always there for him no matter what, through thick
and thin.” (Right from the start, the parents of the participant were always there for him
no matter what, through thick and thin.)

“Yes, because we his family are always there for him.” (We were always there for
him.)

In those statements, the participant showed that he doesn’t doubt himself anymore.
He knew that he was never alone and can seek support from his loved ones.
 14

Person as an Individual and Social

The person is a historical being in that each person develops a personality as he or

she grows up and circulates within the members of his or her family, peer group,
neighborhood, school, church and eventually the society-at-large (Gripaldo 2013). People
have sole responsibility to be who they want to be. Every person sees itself and does things
what he/she want to for itself. But though, everyone has also responsibility in society and
needs to act and play its role for the better and improving its home and community. The
participant does feel and see himself contented.

Participant stated that with the support of key informants:

“I see myself in the society as a normal person.” (I see myself in the society as a
normal person.)

“My son sees himself as a normal person, despite his appearance, he still
managed to live life as it is.” (My son sees himself as a normal person despite of his
appearance.)

“He sees himself as a normal and an ordinary person.” (He sees himself as a
normal and an ordinary person.)

The statements from participant proven by both key informants illustrate that the
participant see himself as fine person. He didn’t feel extra- or less-ordinary to himself in
society. But the participant experienced being isolated to society but only due to concern
from his parents.

Participant stated that with the support of key informants:

“Yes, when I was a kid, my mother and father doesn’t let me … to wonder into the
wilderness, because they were afraid that I might get hurt, so … they keep me inside the
house … alone.” (My parents never let me wonder into the wilderness because they were
afraid that I might get hurt, so they prefer to keep me inside the house instead.)

“Yes, he has been isolated in some ways because we sometimes never let him get
out of the house for his own good.” (He has always been isolated on some ways because
we never let him out of the house for his own good.)

“Yes, when he was just a kid his mother and father would not let him out of the
house, they were afraid that he might be hurt.” (When he was just a little, his parents
would not let him out of the house, they were afraid that he might get hurt.)

The statement of the participant proven both by the key informants illustrate that
the participant was isolated when he was just a juvenile. His parents preferred to keep
him out of the public for his own good.

Participant stated that with the support of key informants:

“Hm, sometimes they approach me with … confidence, and sometimes they

approach with doubt because of my appearance.” (Sometimes, people approach me with
confidence and sometimes with doubt because of my appearance.)

“Some people doesn’t want to mingle with my son due to his appearance. (Some
people would not want to mingle with him because of his appearance.)

“I have noticed that sometimes, he is often neglected because of his appearance.”

(I have noticed that sometimes, he is often neglected because of his appearance.)
 15

The statement of the participant proven both by the key informants illustrate that
the participant has dealt with social desolation. He has also dealt with social incapacity
that hinders from unlocking his true potential.

Participant stated that with the support of key informants:

“Yes, I feel hurt because for me, words … are stronger than actions.” (I felt hurt,
because for me, words are stronger than actions.)

“Yes, he was hurt, at that time because for him, words are stronger than actions.”
(He felt hurt at that time, because for him, words are stronger than actions.)

“Yes, he feels like he does not belong in the society.” (He felt like he does not
belong in the society.)

The statement of the participant proven both by the key informants illustrate that
the participant felt hurt when he was bullied because for him, words are stronger than
actions. At that moment, he was afflicted.

Participant stated that with the support of key informant 1:

“Yes, their words affect me and my mental well-being” (The words came from
people in society affect me and my mental well-being.)

“Yes, because if he is constantly affected about it, it hinders him, from unlocking
his true potential as a human, student, and a person”. (If he is constantly affected about
it, it hinders him from unlocking his true potential as a human, student, and a person.)

The statement of the participant proven both by the key informants illustrate that
the participant was greatly affected by the words and insults when he was bullied. It
manifested the way he performs in school, until it became a hindrance in his life.

Conclusion

Based on the answers that were given by the participant and the key informants, the
researchers could conclude that obesity greatly affected the participant’s lifestyle and his
way of living, it hinders him from achieving his goal and his dreams. “Change” is the most
mentioned answer above, based on his experiences, it made him realize that he needed to
change for the better, thus, achieving the things he did not achieve before. Coping with
body-shaming is the hardest thing that the participant has ever done, for him, it is not easy
being different from the society, it made him think, it also made him realize that it is not
important whether we get accepted in front of the society, the most important thing in life
is to learn the value of satisfaction, contentment, and all the simple things life has to offer.
The participant sees himself as a normal and an ordinary person in front of the society.
Despite all that hate and desolation, he did not let it be a hindrance for him to achieve his
goals and dreams, instead, he turned it into an inspiration, so that he can manage to live life
as it is, after all, we are living in a world of judgment, hate, and dissatisfaction.

Acknowledgement

This research has greatly influenced the researchers to finish and strive for success.
The researchers warmly acknowledge the following important people:

To almighty God, for giving strength and will to them to finish the study. To their
loving parents, for considering and giving them much time to focus this research study. To
their instructor, Ms. Mary Nerissa Castro for guiding and giving them information, which
helps this study.
 16

To dearest participant, a student of University of Cebu - Banilad for participating

and giving information for this research study; without it, the researchers could not answer
the problem. And also, researchers would like to give thanks to the mother and cousin of
the participant for cooperating in this study; without them, the data gathered will not be
credible.

Omar G. Lusares
Lead Researcher, Senior High Department
University of Cebu - Banilad Campus
Banilad, Cebu City
lusaresomar@gmail.com

Stephine Jay A. Tidoso

Lead Researcher, Senior High Department
University of Cebu - Banilad Campus
Banilad, Cebu City
jayalesnatidoso17@gmail.com

Eric Christopher L. Sonsona

Research Associate, Senior High Department
University of Cebu - Banilad Campus
Banilad, Cebu City
ericchristophersonsona15@gmail.com

Mary Christine B. Autencio

Research Associate, Senior High Department
University of Cebu - Banilad Campus
Banilad, Cebu City
autenciochristine0813@gmail.com
Clarissa D. Jabonero
Research Associate, Senior High Department
University of Cebu - Banilad Campus
Banilad, Cebu City
jaboneroclar@gmail.com
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 APPENDIX A

TRANSMITTAL LETTER
 APPENDIX B

RESEARCH INTERVIEW CONSENT FORM

Research Title: Experience of an Obese Person

Researchers’ Name and Contact Information:

Omar G. Lusares 09291291682
Stephine Jay A. Tidoso 09458844942
Eric Christopher L. Sonsona 09159267234
Mary Christine B. Autencio 09195736205
Clarissa D. Jabonero 09386700249

Please put a tick on the box.

I confirm that I have read and understand the information sheet for the above
study and have had the opportunity to ask questions and clarifications on
the matter of the interview/anything that concerns me.

I understand that my participation is voluntary and that I am free to

withdraw at any time, without giving reason.

I agree to take part in the above study and share everything I know to
contribute to the success of the said research.

Please put a tick on the box.

YES NO

I agree to the interview/focus group/consultation being audio

recorded.

I agree to the interview/focus group/consultation being video

recorded.

I agree to the use of anonymized quotes in publications.

__________________________________ ___________________ _______________

Name of Research Participant Date Signature
 APPENDIX C

INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE

Name of interviewee: ___________________________

Date of interview: _________________
Gender: _____ Male _____ Female
Age: _____
Occupation/Profession: __________________________

Purpose of the study:

This narrative aims to describe the experiences of an obese person as it is important
to understand the perspective of obese people. It also lets the researchers know on how
obese people respond to social criticism. This study also answers the following questions:

Interview Questions
1. How does obesity affect the participant’s lifestyle?
a. Please describe your childhood experiences.

b. Are there any changes, if you have, to compare then and now? What are
those?

c. Are there any changes in food intake? What are those?

d. How do you deal with these changes?

e. Are the changes mentioned good or bad for you? How, in what way?

2. How does the participant cope with the body-shaming issue?

a. What do you think about your condition?
 b. Have you experienced shame on your situation? In what way?

c. When did you find body shaming prominent in your life?

d. Did you seek support after you experienced body shaming to comfort
yourself? If yes, from whom and why? And if not, why not?

e. Are the supports enough for you to cope with body shaming? If yes, from how
and why? If not, where do you get your motivation to cope with body
shaming, and why?

3. How does the participant see himself in front of the society?

a. How do you see yourself in the society?

b. Have you experienced being isolated? Please describe your experience.

c. Describe the way people approach you.

d. Have you ever been criticized? How do you feel about it?

e. Do those feelings affect your role in the society? If yes, how? And if not,
why?
 APPENDIX D

TRANSCRIPTION OF THE CODED DATA

Participant’s Interview Questionnaire

Specific Sub-problems:
4. How does obesity affect the participant’s lifestyle?
a. Please describe your childhood experiences.
 “When I was just a child, people often bully me for my hideous
appearance.” Commented [E1]: Bullying

 “My son has been a shy type kid since he was little.” Commented [E2]: Shyness

 “My cousin has always been a |shy type person| ever since.”
b. Are there any changes, if you have, to compare then and now? What are
those?
 “|Yes, my eating habits, since I got involved in taekwondo|, I tried
eating less, and working out more.”
 “Yes, since he started doing taekwondo, he began to develop self-
confidence. He is not ashamed of himself now anymore.” Commented [E3]: Developing Self-Esteem

 “|Since my cousin got involved in his physical activities, I noticed that

his over-eating habits have finally faded away.|”
c. Are there any changes in food intake? What are those?
 “|Yes, I have managed to eat less than before.|”
 “No. Yes, lately, my son has been eating less … since he got involved Commented [E4]: Enrichment of Food Diet

in his taekwondo lessons.”

 “Yes, I have also noticed that |his eating habits aren’t huge compares
before.|”
d. How do you deal with these changes?
 “I have accepted these changes with all of my heart, because I know
that it is for my own good.” Commented [E5]: Acceptance

 “He was a little bit … nervous at first.” Commented [E6]: Nervous

 “One thing that I have found out about him is that, he is resolute in
doing this kind of routine.” Commented [E7]: Acceptance

e. Are the changes mentioned good or bad for you? How, in what way?
 “For me, |I think it is good, because I have learned to discipline
myself.|”
 “For me, it was good, because who has managed to overcome his over-
eating habit.” Commented [E8]: Positive Response

 “For me, |I think it is good, as I have noticed, he is beginning to have

self-confidence.|”
5. How does the participant cope with the body-shaming issue?
a. What do you think about your condition?
 “|I think my condition is, tsk, quite okay.|”
 “I think that … he is accepting his physical well-being.” Commented [E9]: Acceptance

 “|I think his condition is favorable.|”

b. Have you experienced shame on your situation? In what way?
 “|Yes, by bullying.|”
 “When he was just a kid, he is often bullied … for his appearance.” Commented [E10]: Bullying

 “|Yes, by bullying and body-shaming.|”

c. When did you find body shaming prominent in your life?
 “|When I was just … a little kid.|”
 “When he was just a little kid.” Commented [E11]: Juvenile

 “|When he was just a little boy.|”

d. Did you seek support after you experienced body shaming to comfort
yourself? If yes, from whom and why? And if not, why not?
 “|Yes, from my parents, because they are the ones that are always there
by my side from the start.|”
 “Yes, from me and his father, as a parent… It pains me to see him
disappointed and hurt.” Commented [E12]: Love from Parents

 “|Yes, from his parents, because they were the ones that were always
there for him.|”
e. Are the supports enough for you to cope with body shaming? If yes, from
whom and why? If not, where do you get your motivation to cope with body
shaming, and why?
 “Yes, hmm, base on my parents guidance and their uhm, what do you
call that, their, the important things that they have told me, I think it is Commented [E13]: Inspiration

enough for me to cope up with body shaming.”

 “Right from the start, we were always there for him no matter what,
through thick and thin.” Commented [E14]: Moral Support

 “|Yes, because we his family are always there for him.|”

6. How does the participant see himself in front of the society?
a. How do you see yourself in the society?
 “|I see myself in the society as a normal person.|”
 “My son sees himself as a normal person, despite his appearance, he
still managed to live life as it is.” Commented [E15]: Contentment

 “|He sees himself as a normal and an ordinary person.|”

b. Have you experienced being isolated? Please describe your experience.
  “|Yes, when I was a kid, my mother and father doesn’t let me … to
wonder into the wilderness, because they were afraid that I might get
hurt, so … they keep me inside the house … alone.|”
 “Yes, he has been isolated in some ways because we sometimes never
let him get out of the house for his own good.” Commented [E16]: Concern

 “|Yes, when he was just a kid his mother and father would not let him
out of the house, they were afraid that he might be hurt.|”
c. Describe the way people approach you.
 ”Hm, sometimes they approach me with … confidence, and Commented [E17]: Regard

|sometimes they approach with doubt because of my appearance.|”

 “Some people doesn’t want to mingle with my son due to his
appearance.” Commented [E18]: Neglect

 “|I have noticed that sometimes, he is often neglected because of his

appearance.|”
d. Have you ever been criticized? How do you feel about it?
 “Yes, |I feel hurt because for me, words … are stronger than actions.|”
 “Yes, he was hurt, at that time because for him, words are stronger
than actions.” Commented [E19]: Affliction

 “Yes, |he feels like he does not belong in the society.|”

e. Does those feelings affect your role in the society? If yes, how? And if not,
why?
 “Yes, their words affect me and my mental well-being.” Commented [E20]: Manifestation

 “Yes, because if he is constantly affected about it, it hinders him, from

unlocking his true potential as a human, student, and a person.” Commented [E21]: Hindrance

 “Of course, because all of us are humans, we all deserve to be treated

equally.”
 APPENDIX E

DOCUMENTATION