The influence of social relationships and activities on the health of adults with obesity: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Obesity in adults is a leading health challenge that causes millions of deaths worldwide and represents a risk factor for developing long‐term conditions. Social relationships are one of the multiple drivers shaping obesity and obesity‐related practices. However, there is still little evidence as to the processes by which relationships influence the adoption of positive and negative obesity health‐related practices—eating, physical activity and alcohol intake. This study aims first to identify the types of relationships relevant to the adoption of practices in adults with obesity and, second, to explore the type of activities these relationships engage with or promote to produce those practices and their potential health consequences. METHODS: Nineteen adults who have or had a history of obesity living in the United Kingdom were interviewed between May 2020 and March 2021. Experiences were explored through semi‐structured interviews and network mapping via videoconferencing. Data were analysed using a hermeneutic phenomenology informed thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three main themes were identified: (1) everyday familial routines matter, (2) chasing healthier lifestyles: comparing, modelling and connecting emotionally with friends and (3) healthcare professionals as negative influencers. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Findings show how different types of relationships might shape the risk of developing and losing weight. They uncover the power of informal networks (family and friends) and highlight the potentially negative impact of formal ones (healthcare professionals). Our exploration could add to arguments about the need for stakeholders confronting obesity to be aware of the relevance of everyday social relationships in health and well‐being strategies for tackling the issue, in creating collective and individual person‐centred long‐term sustainable actions. PATIENT AND PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Feedback on the tone/content of the interview questions was provided by the two first participants. The results were checked and received feedback from one of the interviewees.