ArticleInternational journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being2025
More than meets the eye: phenomenological insights into the functioning of people with lipoedema.
Article in International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- A qualitative study exploring the experiences of individuals living with lipoedema and the impacts it has on their quality of life.International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being · 2026Article
- Comprehensive Needs Assessment for Enhancing Self-Management in People with Lipoedema and the Support Provided by Their Healthcare Professionals.Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare · 2025Article
- Development of an Evidence-Based and Theory-Informed Self-Management Intervention for People with Lipoedema: An Intervention Mapping Study.Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
purposeThe aim of this study was to explore the functioning of people with lipoedema from their perspective.
methodsThis was a qualitative study following a phenomenological perspective using individual in-depth interviews with a convenience sample of 13 Dutch people with lipoedema. The data were analysed by using an interpretative phenomenological approach.
resultsTwo overarching group experiential themes (GETs) were identified: (1) "physical complaints are only a part of their problems", and (2) "longing for improved appearance and functioning". The GETs were composed of the following subordinate GETs: "disproportionate functioning of the lower body", "navigating daily life with lipoedema", "coping with uncertainty", "the toll of shame and stigmatization", "consequences of a very negative self-image", "desire for change and improved appearance and functioning", and "an ongoing journey of acceptance".
conclusionsParticipants experience that physical complaints affect daily activities, but with adequate adaptability, participation issues are relatively limited. Instead, shame about their appearance and (fear of) stigmatization mainly leads to social avoidance. Additionally, participants long for freedom to do what they want, wear what they want, and desire a different appearance. Therefore, the experienced level of acceptance of the condition is context- and situation-dependent and not straightforward, which is complicated by the burden of knowing that the condition is chronic.
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