Family and community pressure, obesity-related behaviours, and psychological wellbeing among female adolescents with overweight or obesity: a qualitative study.
- 1Department of Community Health, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
Background
Adolescent obesity has physical, psychological and social consequences. Family and community influences can be important in determining the eating behaviour, body image and emotional health of adolescents. Few qualitative studies have investigated female adolescents' own perception of family and community related pressure around their weight.Methods
This qualitative exploratory study used semi-structured interviews to investigate these experiences among 30 female adolescents aged 12-19 years (mean 16.3 years) with overweight or obesity. Weight status was classified against the WHO 2007 BMI-for-age reference. The study covered eating behaviour, criticism, emotional impact, and perceived approaches to managing obesity. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.Results
Seventeen participants (57%) met WHO criteria for obesity and 13 (43%) for overweight. Four themes emerged: (1) a conflicted relationship with food, characterised by dieting, restrained eating, and a cycle of restriction followed by overeating (n = 16); (2) experiences of criticism from parents, family members and the wider community (n = 20), most commonly around appearance and health; (3) psychological and life-choice implications, including self-consciousness and embarrassment (n = 25), low self-esteem, social withdrawal, and concerns about clothing, autonomy and future marriage (n = 22); and (4) motivation and perceived strategies for obesity management, including healthy eating, dieting, exercise, and medical interventions. Negative comments were mostly reported as unwelcome, whereas positive and health-related comments were reported as motivating.Conclusion
Pressure from family and community is a key component in how female adolescents with overweight or obesity perceive their weight, influencing behaviour, emotions, and social functioning. Obesity interventions should incorporate mental health, stigma reduction, and support for constructive family and community communication, alongside weight management.
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BibTeX
@article{bahathig2026family,
title = {{Family and community pressure, obesity-related behaviours, and psychological wellbeing among female adolescents with overweight or obesity: a qualitative study.}},
author = {Abeer Bahathig and Nasser S Alqahtani},
journal = {Frontiers in public health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2026.1945434},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42908972},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Family and community pressure, obesity-related behaviours, and psychological wellbeing among female adolescents with overweight or obesity: a qualitative study.
AU - Abeer Bahathig
AU - Nasser S Alqahtani
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/07
JO - Frontiers in public health
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1945434
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42908972
AB - Background Adolescent obesity has physical, psychological and social consequences. Family and community influences can be important in determining the eating behaviour, body image and emotional health of adolescents. Few qualitative studies have investigated female adolescents' own perception of family and community related pressure around their weight.Methods This qualitative exploratory study used semi-structured interviews to investigate these experiences among 30 female adolescents aged 12-19 years (mean 16.3 years) with overweight or obesity. Weight status was classified against the WHO 2007 BMI-for-age reference. The study covered eating behaviour, criticism, emotional impact, and perceived approaches to managing obesity. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.Results Seventeen participants (57%) met WHO criteria for obesity and 13 (43%) for overweight. Four themes emerged: (1) a conflicted relationship with food, characterised by dieting, restrained eating, and a cycle of restriction followed by overeating (n = 16); (2) experiences of criticism from parents, family members and the wider community (n = 20), most commonly around appearance and health; (3) psychological and life-choice implications, including self-consciousness and embarrassment (n = 25), low self-esteem, social withdrawal, and concerns about clothing, autonomy and future marriage (n = 22); and (4) motivation and perceived strategies for obesity management, including healthy eating, dieting, exercise, and medical interventions. Negative comments were mostly reported as unwelcome, whereas positive and health-related comments were reported as motivating.Conclusion Pressure from family and community is a key component in how female adolescents with overweight or obesity perceive their weight, influencing behaviour, emotions, and social functioning. Obesity interventions should incorporate mental health, stigma reduction, and support for constructive family and community communication, alongside weight management.
SN - 2296-2565
ER -