First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities

S.Y. 2017 – 2018

LIVED EXPERIENCES OF PLUS-SIZE STUDENTS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Bautista, Rothsen Magallanes

Dimaunahan, Paula Jane Padilla

Mabalot, Ma. Melanie Alyssa Platon

Molinar, John Caesar Olvido

November 2017
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

One of the common diseases that affect teenagers nowadays is obesity.

According to World Health Organization (2017), obesity among children and

adolescents has become one of the most critical health issues of the 21 st century. This

health issue has now become one of the chronic diseases prevalent worldwide and it is

starting to gradually affect the first and second world countries, specifically for those

who live in urban areas. This chronic disease is significantly affecting young individuals,

whether it may be on a global or local scale.

According to Gloor (2015), the number of plus-size children and adolescents in

the Philippines, and all around the world, intensified over the past ten years. He stated

that the conducted national surveys among Filipinos revealed that obesity rates in the

Philippines are gradually increasing. Statistically speaking, over about 13% of

adolescents in the Philippines are overweight and obese as an outcome of the 2011

Global School-based Health Survey. Additionally, some studies reflected results

indicating that being plus-size within the teenage years have an effect on the emotional

and psychological aspects of their life.  Weiss & Molitor (2017) revealed that most plus-

size individuals experience the feeling of sadness, anxiety, and depression which can

eventually lead to stress. Hence, as the number of plus-size children increased over the

past decade, the number of plus-size teens who experience emotional and

psychological effects on their lives also rises.

 As stated by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2016), being plus-size

at such a young age can nearly damage every system in a child’s body like their heart

and lungs, muscles and bones, kidneys and digestive tract, as well as the hormones

that control blood sugar and puberty. Furthermore, they have specified that children

who are considered to be overweight or obese are likely to have more chances of being

overweight or obese when they reach the adulthood stage, increasing their risks of

having illnesses later in life. Hence, health organizations around the globe are finding

ways how to halt this health issue as obesity rates for children and adolescents are

seen to be escalating at an alarming rate over the past years. As being plus-size can

critically affect the physical health of a child until they become adults, health

associations are now making a move to prevent this health concern from escalating

further.

The topic of obesity is a kind of topic which is taboo. According to Monash South

FAfrica (2013), general practitioners and parents treat this subject as a comparatively

sensitive topic to mention as it can provoke a child to be more disheartened resulting to

other illnesses such as eating disorder or depression. Moreover, they have also stated

that the study published in the journal Obesity Research & Clinical Practice showed that

70 percent of the parents they have asked was left in their room as soon as they raised

this subject towards their child. Thus, doctors and guardians who treat this as a taboo

topic approached the plus-size children, however, the plus-size children felt that they

were not ready to discuss the sensitive topic yet.

As such, the researchers decided to conduct their study at First Asia Institute of

Technology and Humanities for the purpose of knowing the lived experiences of the
Senior High School plus-size students. The researchers specifically want to know the

plus-size’s students views about their self-image and the realities that they face every

day. Thus, the researchers understood the need of this research since there is a dearth

of studies about the first-hand accounts of plus-size students. Moreover, one of the

researchers is plus-size herself, she wants to contribute her own sentiments and views

about obesity.
Conceptual Framework

Plus-size Students
Interview
Lived Experiences

Self-image

Realities
Figure 1. Conceptual Framework

Figure 1

Figure 1 describes the conceptual framework of the study. The plus-size students

of FCS Senior High School will be interviewed. This is done to be able to describe the

realities they face every day and their views about themselves. Hence, the researchers’

output will be a description of the lived experiences of the plus-sized students of FAITH.
Statement of the Problem

This study describes the lived experiences of plus-size students of FCS Senior

High School.

Specifically, the study sought answers to the following questions:

1. What does it mean to be a plus-size student, during their teenage years?

2. How does being a plus-size affect student experience?

3. How do plus-size students cope up?

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

The study will be conducted at the First Asia Institute of Technology and

Humanities within the timeframe of the 1st Semester, S.Y. 2017-2018.

The study is narrowed within the examination of the lived experiences of the

plus-size students at FCS Senior High School. The study is limited in identifying the

perceptions and views of these plus-size students about the realities that they face

every day. Moreover, the researchers limited this study in perceiving how plus-size

students get influenced by some particular aspects that occur within their selves,

community, and environment.

However, Fidelis Senior High School is not included as participants as the

researchers want to focus more on describing the lived experiences of the FCS Senior

High School. Moreover, the researchers also did not include the FCS Junior High

School as their participants because the researchers assume that they have lesser

experience towards the topic of the study.

Significance of the Study

Firstly, the study to be conducted is significant to students as they will

understand the lived experiences of the plus-size students. Moreover, this study can

help them be more sensitive when interacting with plus-size individuals as this can

impact in the latter’s self-image.

The study to be conducted can also be beneficial for the plus-size students for

them to be aware of the first-hand accounts of other plus-size students. Furthermore,

this study can help them to cope up with their environment.

Moreover, the study may also be advantageous to parents or guardians,

especially of the plus-size students. This is for them to be aware of how their children

see themselves, and so, they can do something about their condition.

Lastly, the study to be conducted is useful for future researchers as this can

serve as one of their references for future studies. As Gloor (2015) stated, obesity rates

at the Philippines are rising, hence, the study to be conducted could be one of the

sources of future researchers who want to comprehend more about the plus-size

students’ lived experiences.

Definition of Terms

Chronic Disease. The Ministry of Health Singapore (2017) defined chronic

diseases as long-term medical conditions that are generally progressive. Operationally,

it is defined as a classification of obesity as a disease.

 Plus-size. The Oxford Dictionary (2017) defined the term as denoting or relating

to clothes of a size larger than those found in standard ranges. Operationally, it is used

in referring to the obese individuals.

Obesity. The Medical News Today Editorial Team (2016) defined the term as a

condition where a person has accumulated so much body fat that it might have a

negative effect on their health. Operationally, it is defined as one of the concerns and

conflict of plus-size individuals.

Stereotypes. The Psychology Discussion (2016) defined the term as a false

classificatory concept to which as a rule a strong emotional feeling tone of likes or

dislikes, approval or disapproval is attached. Operationally, it is defined as how society

has these ideal physical standards for people.

Taboo. Pam Nugent (2013) defined the term as a social, spiritual, moral or

ethical restriction that makes a man to restraint from a particular behavior, person or an

object. Operationally, it is defined as a practice of having a conversation about obesity

that is restricted by a social custom.

 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter presents the related literature and studies of plus-size students.

Understanding Obesity

The physiological cause for this, according to Wayne (2016), is a syndrome that

creates accelerated aging and disease. Its name is Metabolic Syndrome and the

number of people it is affecting is reaching epidemic proportions. Metabolic syndrome is

a complex health condition that affects an estimated 25 percent of Americans, and most

probably a similar amount around the world. It begins with an inability to manage blood

sugar, which creates a state of glucose intolerance or insulin resistance. Insulin

resistance creates a multitude of conditions, high cholesterol levels, high blood

pressure, high blood insulin levels, and obesity. When left unchecked, these conditions

are risk factors for coronary heart disease, diabetes, and accelerated aging.

Furthermore, according to Karnik & Kanekar (2012), there are certain genetic

factors which may lead to obesity in children. These genetic factors increase the child's

susceptibility to obesity. One of this is the heritability of obesity from parents that

influence obesity in children. Moreover, they stated that instead of just advising children

what to eat, they can appreciate nutrition-related education in a better way when it

comes to them via fun activities like playing games. Interactive multimedia like CD-ROM

can promote healthy nutrition in children with the help of virtual educational games.

When these games are used in real-life situations, children can make healthy food

choices. They can promote decision making and self-esteem for healthy eating
behavior. Thus, these programs can help and motivate children to make healthy food

choices and also understand the benefits of making such choices. These innovative

interventions can encourage children to lead a healthy life. Dr. Elit (2017) also added

that obese individuals are more likely to develop eating disorders like bulimia or

anorexia to artificially facilitate weight loss.

Conversely, according to the study of Stankov, Olds, and Cargo (2012), various

physical factors have been attributed to hindering participation of adolescents. Among

the most prominent of these are physical discomforts including “dying of breath”, knee

and joint pain and sharp pains in the chest, all of which were attributed to being

overweight. Being too out of shape was also heavily featured as a barrier to

engagement. Furthermore, Weeks (2017) said that obese teens often experience poor

body image as a result of being overweight. This may keep your teen from playing

sports or engaging in physical activity, spending time with friends or wearing form-fitting

clothing.

Moreover, according to World Health Organization (2017), overweight and obese

children are likely to stay obese into adulthood and more likely to develop non-

communicable diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases at a younger age.

Overweight and obesity, as well as their related diseases, are largely preventable.

Prevention of childhood obesity, therefore, needs high priority. Harvard T.H. Chan

School of Public Health (2016) also added that obesity can harm nearly every system in

a child’s body. It includes their heart and lungs, muscles and bones, kidneys and

digestive tract, as well as the hormones that control blood sugar and puberty. Being

obese can also take a heavy social and emotional toll.

 Furthermore, according to Dr. Elit (2017), most obese individuals feel ‘ugly’ or

unattractive. This greatly affects their confidence to interact or socialize with people.

Consequently, these individuals tend to be loners and socially awkward. Likewise,

Karnik & Kanekar (2012) said that obese children are mostly discriminated due to their

body image. This may lead to a potential challenge for these children to come forward

and opt for health programs. Stigmatization of these children by their peers and by

others acts as a mental barrier leading to negative body image and fear of food. On the

contrary, according to Shi (2017), studies have found that being more body positive in

that way results in taking societal ideals on the body with a grain of salt or filtering them,

having higher self-esteem by appreciating or admiring one’s body, having less

unhealthy eating behaviors, and being more physically active.

In addition, according to the study of Monash South Africa (2013), doctors and

parents doctors and parents are reluctant about raising the issue of childhood obesity.

Despite most general practitioners recognizing it as a potential health burden, 40

percent of a small group surveyed said they struggled to raise the issue with parents

and 70 percent said they raised the topic once the child had left the room, the study

published in the journal Obesity Research & Clinical Practice found. Some doctors

indicated that they had difficulty raising the topic for various reasons including the

sensitivity of the topic, the possibility of conflict or that the chat could trigger other health

issues, such as an eating disorder or depression.

Conversely, according to Karnik & Kanekar (2012), children feel depressed and

are nervous about their obesity issue and this has a negative effect on their behavior.

This may also reflect negatively on their academic and social progress. Furthermore,
according to Dr. Elit (2017), the poorly addressed self-esteem of an obese individual

often culminates in depression, sadness or generalized anxiety disorders.

Environmental Factors

According to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2016), as poor

countries move up the income scale and switch from traditional diets to Western

foodways, obesity rates rise. One result of this so-called “nutrition transition” is that low-

and middle-income countries often face a dual burden: the infectious diseases that

accompany malnutrition, especially in childhood, and, increasingly, the debilitating

chronic diseases linked to obesity and Western lifestyles.

Karnik & Kanekar (2012) also stated that environmental factors are those that

surround the children and influence their food intake and physical activity. These factors

are seen in various settings such as in school and in the community. Children spend

most of their time at school, so the school can promote healthy food choices and

physical activity among them. Community's lack of accessibility and affordability of

healthy food can affect the nutrition of these children. Their lack of physical activity may

be because of lack of facilities like safe sidewalks, bike paths, and safe parks. They also

added that parents and siblings are the people around the child who can influence child

behavior and lifestyle. Hence, effective interventions in a family setting can be beneficial

to change child's behavior of overeating and unhealthy choice of food.

Moreover, Allen (2017) said that since 1980, obesity rates in the developed

countries of the world have risen significantly. In the United States, obesity statistics

indicate that almost one in every three people is medically obese. Other countries have
also experienced significant increases in obesity rates over three decades. Likewise,

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2016) have declared that stunting and

overweight adolescents coexist in many developing countries, and stunting may

increase the risk of obesity later on in life. WHO (2017) added that developing countries

with emerging economies such as lower- and middle-income countries as classified by

the World Bank has 30% higher childhood overweight and obesity rate than that of

developed countries.

Social Interaction

Weight-based discrimination, according to Roehling (2008), consistently affects

every aspect of employment, from hiring to firing, promotions, pay allocation, career

counseling, and discipline. Rudolph (2008), a Wayne State University researcher,

added that the bias appears to be most prominent during the hiring process when an

employer knows a potential employee the least. Therefore, the employer is most likely

to be influenced by stereotypes such as saying that fat people are lazy.

Moreover, according to Janssen et al. (2004), overweight and obese youth were

at greater relative odds of being victims of aggression than normal-weight youth. Strong

and significant associations were seen for relational victimization like unfriending the

plus-size students or spreading rumors and bad lies about them. Overt victimization like

name-calling, teasing, hitting, kicking, or pushing is also seen being done to these

plump students. Thus, they have concluded that overweight and obese school-aged

children are more likely to be the victims and perpetrators of bullying behaviors than
their normal-weight peers. These tendencies may hinder the short- and long-term social

and psychological development of overweight and obese youth.

 CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

Research Design

The descriptive research design was used in conducting this study. According to

University of Southern California Libraries (2017), descriptive research design helps

researchers give answers to the questions of who, what, when, where, and how it got

associated with a particular research problem. Moreover, this type of research design is

used when a researcher wants to describe and acquire any information regarding a

phenomenon that exists.

The researchers used a qualitative research design, specifically phenomenology.

According to Research Rundowns (2009), a phenomenological qualitative research

design aims to understand a phenomenon by gathering the first- hand experiences of

an individual which guides the researchers in looking at the phenomenon from the

viewpoint of that certain individual. The responses, opinions, views, and the feelings of

the interviewed individual regarding their lived experiences are the essential points that

a phenomenologist observes rather than quantitative details.

Research Instrument

The research made use of the guide questions to determine the different

experiences of the plus-size students in their teenage years. The researchers noted the

key points of the answers of the participants in a piece of paper and also used a voice

recorder to record their answers and transcribe it afterward.

Respondents of the Study

The researchers interviewed the plus-size students of the FCS Senior High

School. The five plus-size students were chosen because of their body mass index

status being overweight and obese. Furthermore, the following respondents were

interviewed because the researchers have determined that these plus-size students

possessed the first-hand accounts that can answer the problem of the study.

Data Gathering Procedure

The researchers looked for possible respondents around the FCS building and

they were able to gather five respondents for the interview. All participants were plus-

size students from the FCS Senior High School. The researchers then approached

these plus-size students and interviewed them by using the guide questions. The

answers of the interviewees were written on a piece of paper and recorded on a voice

recorder. Afterwards, the researchers compiled all the information gathered from the

participants and their responses were transcribed afterwards. Subsequently, the

researchers analyzed the responses of the interviewees and selected the best solution

for the problem of the study.

 CHAPTER IV

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

This chapter includes the analysis and interpretation of the gathered data using

guide questions.

1. Plus-size students during their teenage years

Plus-size students experience internal and external factors that affect their lived

experiences. For the internal factors, the respondents said that they are constantly

being conscious about their body image. All of the respondents showed a sign of an

offended self-esteem.

According to a respondent,

“Yung katulad duon sa mga clothing stalls tulad noong

mga OOTD at Jukaykay, yung feeling na kapag pupunta ka
duon tapos wala naman palang size mo. Yung puro ang
available lang ay small at medium.”

According to Dr. Elit (2017), being plus-size makes an individual think that they

are “ugly” or unattractive. Being plus-size affects their confidence to socialize within the

society.

On the other hand, the external factors encompass how the society affects the

way they see their body image. The interviewees have stated that they have

experienced discrimination and stigmatization from the people in their surroundings.

According to respondents,
 “Yung feeling na yung tricycle driver titingin sa gulong after
mong sumakay? Bakit naman kailangan pa niya tingnan
iyon sa harapan ko…nakakainsulto naman!”
“Yung pinagtitinginan ka sa public dahil fit lang yung suot
ko.”

According to Karnik & Kanekar (2012), most plus-size children are

discriminated because of their body image. Experiencing stigma due to their peers and

others results in having a “mental barrier” that leads them to be pessimistic about their

body image.

This means that plus-size children are greatly affected by some factors present

in the society. That influences their view about their body image during their teenage

years.

2. Student experience of being plus-size

Most of the respondents said that they had a hard time doing extra-curricular

activities, especially on the subject of Physical Education. They claimed that being plus-

size makes this kind of activities difficult for them, specifically if it requires anything that

includes stamina and endurance. Because of that, they have expressed their lack of

interest in sports and cardiovascular activities.

The respondents stated:

“Yung papatakbuhin kayo sa field ng tatlong ikot tapos

ikaw nakakadalawa ka pa lang, pagod ka na. Yung iba
patapos na tapos ikaw nahihirapan tumakbo, diba?”
“Kapag P.E. syempre makikita nila na matalbog yung
bilbil mo. Hindi ka makasama sa sports kasi hindi ka sporty.
Dahil mataba ka, hindi ka into sports. Intrams yung
pinakaayaw kong part ng school year.”
 According to the study of Stankov, Olds, and Cargo (2012), plus-size children

are not very fond of physical activities because they are experiencing physical

discomforts such as having short breaths, sharp pains in the chest, and much more.

They also added that being “too out of shape” was also considered as one of the

barricades that hinder plus-size students to be physically active. Moreover, Adrienne

Weeks (2017) also affirmed that the lack of interest in physical activities is also rooted

from the poor body image that a plus-size teenager experiences.

This means that plus-size students are having difficulties in engaging in any

kind of physical activities due to some health issues, thus perceiving a negative body

image. Furthermore, most of the respondents also said that they have experienced

being teased and discriminated at school because of their plus-size figure.

“Noong grade school…lagi ka na lang aasarin na ‘Ang

taba-taba mo.’”
“Lagi po akong inaasar na baboy at mataba, pero noong
grade school lang ako noon, ngayon okay na.”
“Lahat naman siguro naexperience mabully. Lahat ng
matataba naloloko na ‘baboy’.”

Janssen, Craig, Boyce, & William (2004) stated that overweight and obese

adolescents are more at risk to be targeted for bullying compared to their friends who

are thin. This means that plus-size students experienced being victimized and

discriminated at their school because of being overweight.

3. Coping up process of plus-size students

 The plus-size students had mixed responses in terms of surviving their teenage

years. Some of the respondents stated that you should learn acceptance and self-love

towards yourself. They have affirmed that not denying the fact that you really have a big

physique makes you feel more confident about yourself.

“Kailangan mong tanggapin kung ano ka diba? Di mo

kailangan isipin yung opinyon ng iba because it doesn’t
matter. Kapag kinilala mo yung yung sarili mo in your own
perspective, mas magiging masaya ka. ”

According to Shi (2017), plus-size people who are being positive about their

body results in challenging those stereotypes, having higher appreciation in their body

image, having a healthier eating habit, and develop an interest for physical activities.

This means that plus-size adolescents should start appreciating their body image. They

began to have self-love and self-acceptance towards themselves and became confident

about their appearance.

On the other hand, some of the respondents also said that they tried to cope up

by thinking about the future.

“Hindi mo naman masasabi na lahat ng matataba ay

hindi at risk sa heart attack. Actually, mas mataas nga yung
risk kapag ganoon. So marerealize mo rin na…kailangan mo
rin gumalaw dahil ikaw rin ang mahihirapan sa huli.”

Moreover, according to World Health Organization (2017), teenagers who are

overweight and obese are likely to be the same when they reach their reach adulthood

and is more at risk in developing diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases at

such a young age. This means that they should also consider some of its consequences

in the near future such as acquiring chronic diseases like cardiovascular diseases.
 Conversely, one of the respondents also stated that he became concerned

about having difficulties in looking for a job when he reached adulthood.

“Nag-start na akong maging conscious sa kung ano yung

hitsura ko in the future. Yung kapag nagtatrabaho ka na,
naisip ko din na one of the factors para matanggap ka is
your appearance. Yung papasok ka ng room…tapos bigla
silang mapapangibit…ayokong maranasan yun.”

Roehling (2008) stated that weight-based employment is very evident in the

career world. Rudolph (2008) added that it is most apparent at the hiring process when

the interviewer knows nothing about the job seeker and judge them based on the

societal ideals such as fat people being unproductive at work. This means that plus-size

adolescents should start thinking about their future, especially when they reach

adulthood and start looking for jobs. They should consider the aftermath that they may

have limitation when it comes to getting employed.

 CHAPTER V

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This chapter presents the summary, conclusions, and recommendations

that the researchers have obtained based on the gathered data.

Summary

One of the common diseases that affect teenagers nowadays is obesity.

According to World Health Organization (2017), obesity among children and

adolescents has become one of the most critical health issues of the 21st century. It

significantly affects young individuals, whether it may be on a global or local scale.

As such, the researchers decided to conduct their study at First Asia Institute of

Technology and Humanities for the purpose of knowing the lived experiences of the

Senior High School plus-size students, specifically their views about their self-image

and the realities that they face every day.

The purpose of the qualitative study is to understand the lived experiences of

plus-size students of FCS Senior High School. Particularly, the study aims to answers

the following questions:

1. What does it mean to be a plus-size student during their teenage years?

2. How does being a plus-size affect student experience?

3. How do plus-size students cope up?

This research made use of the descriptive qualitative research design,

specifically phenomenology. The primary materials used in this study were the different
experiences of the plus-size students in their teenage years. These data were gathered

from five respondents by conducting an interview with the prepared guide questions.

After data gathering, their responses were transcribed and analyzed.

Conclusions

After the careful analysis of the following data, the following conclusions were

made:

1. Plus-size students are greatly affected by the internal factors like having an

offended self-esteem because of their poor view of their body image.

Furthermore, plus-size adolescents are also affected by the external factors that

they experience in the society like being discriminated and stigmatized by the

people in their surroundings. Hence, it influences their view of their body image

during their teenage years.

2. Plus-size students show a lack of interest in doing physical activities. It is rooted

from the health issues and negative body image that they experience, especially

during their Physical Education classes. As a result, they are having difficulties in

performing strenuous activities. Moreover, young plus-size individuals also got

subjected to being victimized and discriminated by their classmates because of

their chubby figure.

3. Plus-size adolescents started appreciating their body image after entering their

late teenage years. They began to have self-love and self-acceptance. They

became confident about their appearance too. On the contrary, they expressed

their thoughts about some consequences of obesity that can affect their lives in
 the future. They considered themselves developing chronic diseases. Also, they

might have limitations when it comes to getting employed when they become

adults.

Recommendations

Based on the results obtained from this study, it is highly encouraged that the

following recommendations be considered:

1. As other students can influence how the plus-size students see their body

image, this study may help other pupils to understand how they can greatly

affect their classmates. It is highly commended that other students should be

careful about how they should act or speak, especially when interacting with the

plus-size adolescents as it can affect their self-esteem and self-confidence.

Hence, fit students may be more considerate to their plump peers as this study

will let them see how it feels like to be in the shoes of their plus-size classmates.

2. Plus-size students must realize that they should not be greatly affected by how

the society sees them. They should not let themselves have a negative body

image and a poor self-esteem because of other’s judgment. They should begin

to learn how to have self-love and self-acceptance. They should also become

confident about their plump physique. In that way, even others stigmatize or

discriminate them, they would not feel depressed and dejected about it.

3. Most of the parents of plus-size teenagers should understand the condition of

their children. As the topic of being plus-size is kind of taboo, they should learn

how to approach their kids without them feeling sensitive and awkward. They

must also realize the consequences of being an obese adolescent such as

 acquiring chronic diseases and having low productivity in physical activities. In

that way, they can guide their teenagers to live a better lifestyle like having

healthier eating habits and increased productivity in doing sports.

4. Future researchers are encouraged to do further studies about the lived

experiences of plus-size students. They may use this research as one of their

references in comprehending more plus-size adolescents’ first-hand accounts

that may contribute thorough data that can be useful in the future.