Abstract
M.Cur
Critical overweight is currently regarded as an epidemic by the World Health Organization
(Hodgson, accessed 18 March 2007). It is one of the direct causes of illnesses such as
diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, as well as certain types of cancer. Socio-cultural
influences play a role in the life of a critically overweight person. The role models that
especially young girls and women see in the media are unrealistic (Fairburn en Brownell,
2002:103). Although there is a lot of information available regarding the intake of nutrients
in order to address the physical dimension of a person, Villapiana and Goodman (2001:1)
believe that the critically overweight person must change his/her behaviour.
The following goals were kept in mind continually throughout the research:
to explore and describe the experiences of the critically overweight person; and
to create guidelines for the advanced psychiatric nurse in order for him/her to
facilitate the mental health of the critically overweight person.
The paradigmatic point of departure of the Department of Nursing at the University of
Johannesburg (2006:2-7), as worded in the Theory for the Promotion of Health in
Nursing, directs the study. A functional approach to nursing, according to Botes’ model
(University of Johannesburg, School of Nursing Paradigm, 2006:9-12), was followed. The
researcher conducted semi-structured phenomenological interviews (Holloway and
Wheeler, 1996:2) with the critically overweight persons who met the criteria of the sample.
Permission for the research was obtained from the University of Johannesburg, as well as
the informed permission of the eight individuals who took part in the research.
Trustworthiness was maintained by following strategies of credibility, transferability,
dependability, and confirmability (Lincoln en Guba, 1985:298-331). After the data had
been analysed and a consensus conversation taken place, literature control was done in
order to compare the results with that of other research.
The researcher has come to the conclusion that the critically overweight person
experiences a paradoxical process that is characterised by a dividedness relationship
vii
with the self, which then spreads to relationships with other people, as well as the
environment. The inner struggle is experienced as anti-poles in which participants yearn
for balance. Discord develops between thoughts, feelings and behaviour, with
accompanying effects on mental health. The paradoxical process is maintained by factors
that strengthen the dividedness and has certain effects that cause further discomfort for
the critically overweight person.
Guidelines were developed for the advanced psychiatric nurse to facilitate the mental
health of the critically overweight person. Conclusions were made, limitations of the
research pointed out and recommendations for nursing practice, nursing education and
nursing research made.