| Studies have revealed an increase in the rate of obesity in the population of Germany. Current literature suggests this change will have an adverse effect on health and wellness---the quality of which are affected by obesity. Engagement in physical fitness-related activities has also been shown to impact perceptions of these issues. Although studies have been conducted regarding obesity and weight maintenance in the German populace, there is a dearth of information regarding the perceptions of the people who live these experiences. This research study aimed to document the perceptions and understanding of the concepts of health, wellness, and obesity from the point-of-view of engagement in physical fitness. A qualitative case study design was utilized to categorize the common themes as relayed by a sampling of five adult participants. The face-to-face interviews were conducted over a three-week period, and employed semi-structured, open-ended questions, allowing the capture of rich narrative detail; these interviews were transcribed verbatim and verified for accuracy prior to analysis. Analysis and coding identified meaning units and common themes emerged in association with the study's research questions. The study results indicated that (1) lifestyle behaviors impact the ability to manage health; (2) obesity is perceived from a cultural relativistic nature; (3) health education is vital to achieving positive health outcomes; and (4) community-sponsored fitness opportunities are associated with improved health. The findings may aid in the development of strategies to improve the health results of the community members, and be of use to health care practitioners, developers of social and community health initiatives, policy makers, health researchers, weight management programs, schools, and community organizations. The data collected from this study serves as the foundation for recommendations regarding possible improvements and interventions, and provides elaborative suggestions for future research. |
