Weight management and its educational differences among retired individuals living with obesity—a salutogenic approach

Abstract

Abstract Introduction This salutogenic-oriented study focuses on weight management among retired individuals living with obesity. We also consider individuals’ educational level, as higher education has been linked to enhanced health and well-being, and improved access to and utilization of various resources. Our research question was: How do retired individuals with low or high levels of education living with obesity implement weight management in their daily lives, from the salutogenic approach? Methods Twenty retired individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30 kg/m2 participated in individual qualitative interviews in 2023. The participants were selected from a Helsinki Health Study cohort of retired former employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland. Half of the interviewees had a low level of education, and the other half had a high level of education. Women and men were equally represented. We analyzed the data using a deductive-inductive content analysis. Results Four main categories were formed: 1) visionary life management; 2) daily life supporting well-being, 3) enjoying food as an essential part of life; and 4) feeling supported. The main categories had altogether eleven generic categories, and they further had eleven sub-categories. The main categories and most of the generic categories and sub-categories were similar across the low and high levels of education groups, but both groups still had specific characteristics. Conclusion A salutogenic orientation, which focuses on health and well-being rather than illness, was evident in many ways in how participants approached their weight management. Educational differences were moderate overall and hinted at specific characteristics of how the resources were utilized. Comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness were evident in the results for both educational groups. According to the results of this study, retired individuals living with obesity implement weight management strategies in their daily lives in ways that are suitable and meaningful for their individual circumstances. They make thoughtful yet enjoyable food choices, select forms of physical activity that motivate them, and spend active quality time with the important people in their lives.

Keywords

• Salutogenesis
• Sense of coherence, aging
• Obesity
• Socioeconomic inequalities
• Weight management
• Qualitative research