Bio-Psychological Dimensions of Sexual Experiences in Obese Women: A Qualitative Study of Semistructured Interviews

Objectives: Obesity is a significant global health issue. Given its increasing prevalence and the importance of sexual satisfaction in strengthening marital relationships and overall family and community health, this study aimed to explore the sexual experiences of women with obesity. Materials and Methods: This qualitative study involved interviewing women with obesity who were seeking treatment at clinics and obesity surgery centers in Tehran. In-depth semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions were conducted by the researcher. The interviews were then analyzed qualitatively, and codes were categorized accordingly. Results: The study included interviews with obese women, resulting in three general categories. Under the physical dimensions category, two main categories emerged: individual-physical challenges and perceived physical-sexual experiences. In the psychological dimensions category, two main categories were identified: body identity structure and perceived psycho-sexual experiences. Lastly, under the social dimensions category, three main categories were obtained: interpersonal relationships, influence of important people, and influence of the media. Conclusions: Sexual orientation is a crucial aspect that significantly impacts individual and social life. The satisfaction of these desires plays a decisive role in human personality development. It is inevitable that these desires are separate from an individual's behavior. This study highlights that apart from obesity, a person's attitudes and beliefs about sexual issues can directly affect their sexual relationships.