Faculty Collaboration Database

Effects of Weight and Pain on Physical Activity: Insights from the Lived Experiences of Youth with Co-Occurring Chronic Pain and Obesity. Child Obes 2022 Jul;18(5):301-308

Date

12/11/2021

Pubmed ID

34890258

DOI

10.1089/chi.2021.0208

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85133649111 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   3 Citations

Abstract

Objective: Pediatric obesity and chronic pain are each associated with an increased risk for numerous poor physical and mental health outcomes. Co-occurring chronic pain and obesity (CPO) result in greater functional disability compared with either condition alone. The aim of the present study was to use qualitative methods to better understand the challenges experienced by adolescents with CPO, with a specific focus on physical activity. Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 13 youth with CPO. Participants were questioned about pain, physical activity, coping strategies, and the perceived relationship between weight and pain. Interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed, and analyzed according to Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: Superordinate themes expressed by youth included: Impact of Chronic Pain on Relationships, Impact of Pain on Self-Perception, Using Food to Cope with Pain, Perceived Relationship between Pain and Weight after Onset of Pain, Attitudes toward Physical Activity, Barriers to Physical Activity, and Supports to Physical Activity. Conclusions: Participants identified challenges associated with CPO. Notably, participants identified pain as a greater barrier to exercise than weight, implicating the salience of chronic pain in the lives of youth with CPO. Furthermore, participants identified a desire to be more physically active, yet discussed struggles and concerns about attempts to increase their physical activity and indicated a desire for guidance about being more active. This study highlights the complexities of the relationship between CPO and underscores the importance of providers collaboratively working with patients to develop a practical plan to resume movement and physical activity.

Author List

Gremillion ML, Lang AC, Everhart SA, Davies WH, Stolzman SC, Weisman SJ, Hainsworth KR

Authors

Samantha Everhart PhD Assistant Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Monica L. Gremillion PhD Assistant Professor in the Anesthesiology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Keri Hainsworth PhD Director, Associate Professor in the Anesthesiology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Steven J. Weisman MD Professor in the Anesthesiology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Child
Chronic Pain
Exercise
Humans
Pediatric Obesity
Self Concept