Younger Women with Lipedema, Their Experiences with Healthcare Providers, and the Importance of Social Support and Belonging
A Qualitative Study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15460646 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Vilde Christoffersen (Høyskolen Kristiania), Merete Kolberg Tennfjord (0000-0001-5433-651X, Høyskolen Kristiania, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 1925-1925 |
| Publication date | 2023-01-20 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601 |
| Publisher | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3390/ijerph20031925 |
| PMID | 36767290 |
| OpenAlex | W4317609242 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 22 |
Lipedema is a chronic adipose tissue disorder affecting approximately 11% of women worldwide. The illness is often misdiagnosed as obesity, and because of this, women often struggle in meetings with healthcare providers. Few studies have assessed these encounters of younger women with lipedema. The aims of this qualitative study were to explore women's experiences in meetings with healthcare providers and the importance of social support and belonging, with a focus on younger women. Fifteen women with lipedema between the ages of 21 and 47 years (mean age 36.2 years) were interviewed. The results indicated that women felt stigmatized by healthcare providers and that younger women in their 20s and early 30s struggled more often than women of higher age when receiving their diagnosis. The feeling of shame and stigma were also dependent on the woman's resources in handling the illness. The younger women reported that their self-confidence and romantic relationships were challenging. Social support and the feeling of belonging through romantic relationships or support groups were important resources for managing the illness. Highlighting the experiences of women may aid in increasing recognition and knowledge of lipedema. This in turn may reduce the stigma and lead to equitable healthcare services
Family medicine · Feeling · Focus group · Health care · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Psychiatry · Qualitative research · Shame · Social stigma · Social support · Sociology · Stigma (botany · Lymphatic System and Diseases · Medicine · Medicine, History, and Philosophy · Nursing · Obesity and Health Practices · Psychology · Social Psychology
Bias, Discrimination, and Obesity
The Girl Who Cried Pain
Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (Coreq)
Quality of life in women with lipoedema
Women’s experiences of living with lipedema
Sociometer theory and the pursuit of relational value
Using thematic analysis in psychology
It is hard work behaving as a credible patient
The need to belong
| Citations per year | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2025 - 2026 (2) |
| Highly cited | No |