Kufre Joseph Okop
University of the Western Cape, South Africa
Title: Perceptions of body size, obesity threat and the willingness to lose weight among black South African adults: A descriptive qualitative study
Biography
Biography: Kufre Joseph Okop
Abstract
Background: Obesity epidemic is associated with rising rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among adults, particularly in countries undergoing rapid urbanization and nutrition transition. Information on body size perception, obesity risk awareness, and the willingness to lose weight are critical for designing appropriate community-based intervention for prevention of obesity.
Method: A descriptive qualitative study design guided the study. Focus group discussions were conducted with purposely selected black men and women aged 35-70 years living in an urban South African township. Weight and height measurements were taken, and the participants were classified into optimal weight, overweight and obese groups based on their body mass index (in Kg/m2). Participants were asked questions on perceived susceptibility and threat to obesity, and risk of cardiovascular disease. Information on body image perceptions and the willingness to lose excessive body weight were also collected. Discussions were conducted in the local language (isiXhosa) and translated into English. Data was analysed using the thematic analysis approach.
Results: Obese and overweight women underestimated their body sizes. Participants generally believed that obesity leads to conditions such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and hypertension. However, threat of obesity to personal health was perceived differently in the different groups. Men in all groups and women in the obese and optimal weight groups perceived obesity to be a serious threat to their health unlike the overweight women. Obese participants who were dissatisfied with their body size and those who had experienced weight-related health problem(s) indicated strong perceptions of risk of obesity and CVD. Perceived subjective norms towards body image, and increasing crime rate, inaccessibility to physical activity facilities, and poor perceptions about physical activity were key factors hindering participants’ readiness to lose weight.
Conclusion: Low perception of threat of obesity to health particularly among overweight women in this community indicates a huge challenge to obesity control. Community health promotion strategies that can increase awareness about the risk associated with overweight is needed.