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Table 3 Quotes from interviews

From: Previous life experiences and social relations affecting individuals wish for support when establishing healthy habits – a qualitative study of Norwegian Healthy Life Centre participants

Main theme 1 Previous life experiences stamping life situation

Participants applying for HLC participation

  Sub theme 1: Negative life experiences influencing present life

“I have tried losing weight different ways (…) I have PCOS, which makes it hard to get pregnant. So I lost 34 kg and got pregnant, and then I regained the weight (..) I did a gastric bypass operation and lost fifty-two kg, and cannot find myself afterwards. I quitted work when I got children because I wanted to stay home with them. Now I have NAV contacting me regularly, telling me I need to get a job because I am unemployed …” Woman, age 35–44

  Sub theme 2: Positive life experiences resulting in a satisfying and stable life

“I have lived in the same town all my life. I worked at the same place for 30 years.”

Man, age 55–64

Participants invited to HLC participation

  Sub theme 1: Previous negative life experiences influencing participants life

“My childhood was difficult. I got a lot of beating. I was the oldest one … In addition, my mother got beaten, and I saw that as a child. I remember it very well. I have been through a lot in my life … I have been in a lot of pain, but apart from that, I feel rather fine today.”

Man, age 65–75

  Sub theme 2: Positive life experiences resulting in a satisfying and stable life

… we were lucky since my father worked for the government, and our economy was alright. I grew up in a small community, where all were family, and we did not even lock our doors to the house. My childhood was safe and nice. And as an adult I have lived quite normal, I would say.”Woman, age 65–75

Main theme 2 Positive life experiences resulting in a satisfying and stable life

  Participants applying for HLC participation

  Sub theme 1: Stressful relationships being hard to handle

“I live by myself with my youngest daughter aged fifteen. (…) She struggles with psychiatric problems, just like me. We are not that much outside meeting other people.”

Woman, age 45–54

  Sub theme 2: Supportive relations contributing to healthy habits

“You must have support by your family, it is important, if not I don’t think I would get further on. The kids are also very engaged in eating healthy, and they can see I am getting into better shape, and maybe happier as well, when I get healthy food and get the one hour walk during the evening as well.”

Woman, age 35–44

Participants invited to HLC participation

  Sub theme 2: Supportive relationships contributing to healthy habits

“Getting out of the house is incredibly hard sometimes, and for some people it is impossible. You need a boost, and you need someone who can knock on your door and tell you: Let us go for a walk. It is a pleasure having the opportunity to go for a walk together with another person. It certainly is.”

Woman, age 55–64

Main theme 3 Expressing wishes for HLC support

Participants applying for HLC

  Sub theme 1: Wanting to blend in to blend in

"The size of the groups has not been that big, which I think is important. No one has been better than others have. We have been on the same level. We have all been similar. (…) The groups have been very nice."

Woman, age 45–54,

  Sub theme 2: Having commitment in everyday life

“I know that when I am done with the program at the HLC I have to find other things to commit to …”

Woman, age 45–54

  Sub theme 3: C Contradictory wishes for HLC support regarding activities courses and degree of follow-up

"I participate in most of the courses, food course, football, indoor cycling, strength training and motivational groups. And conversations with the physical therapist."

Woman, age 18–24

Participants invited to HCL

  Sub theme 1: Having a need to blend in

“… I did not know if this was the right place for me, because I felt very healthy compared to many others”

Woman, age 55–64

Sub theme 2: Having commitment in everyday life

“Every Monday I meet a couple of ladies for an hour, and we work out together. We have done it for many years (…) And during summer we bike.”

Woman, age 65–75

  Sub theme 3: Contradictory wishes for HLC support regarding activities courses and degree of follow-up

“I have not participated in any of the courses or activities at the healthy life center. I have other activities I go to and are happy with those.”

Man, age 65–75