Perceptions of body size, obesity threat and the willingness to lose weight among black South African adults: a qualitative study

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dc.contributor.authorOkop, Kufre Joseph
dc.contributor.authorMukumbang, Ferdinand C
dc.contributor.authorMathole, Thubelihle
dc.contributor.authorLevitt, Naomi
dc.contributor.authorPuoane, Thandi
dc.date.accessioned2021-10-08T06:54:48Z
dc.date.available2021-10-08T06:54:48Z
dc.date.issued2016
dc.description.abstractAbstract Background The obesity epidemic is associated with rising rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among adults, particularly in countries undergoing rapid urbanisation and nutrition transition. This study explored the perceptions of body size, obesity risk awareness, and the willingness to lose weight among adults in a resource-limited urban community to inform appropriate community-based interventions for the prevention of obesity. Method This is a descriptive qualitative study. Semi-structured focus group discussions were conducted with purposively 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 (Kg/m 2 ). Participants were asked to discuss on perceived obesity threat and risk of cardiovascular disease. Information on body image perceptions and the willingness to lose excess body weight were also discussed. Discussions were conducted in the local language (isiXhosa), transcribed and translated into English. Data was analysed using the thematic analysis approach. Results Participants generally believed that obesity could lead to health conditions such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and hypertension. However, severity of obesity was perceived differently in the groups. Men in all groups and women in the obese and optimal weight groups perceived obesity to be a serious threat to their health, whereas the overweight women did not. Obese participants who had experienced chronic disease conditions indicated strong perceptions of risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease. Obese participants, particularly men, expressed willingness to lose weight, compared to the men and women who were overweight. The belief that overweight is ‘normal’ and not a disease, subjective norms, and inaccessibility to physical activity facilities, negatively influenced participants’ readiness to lose weight. Conclusion Low perception of threat of obesity to health particularly among overweight women in this community indicates a considerable challenge to obesity control. Community health education and promotion programmes that increase awareness about the risk associated with overweight, and improve the motivation for physical activity and maintenance of optimal body weight are needed.
dc.identifier.apacitationOkop, K. J., Mukumbang, F. C., Mathole, T., Levitt, N., & Puoane, T. (2016). Perceptions of body size, obesity threat and the willingness to lose weight among black South African adults: a qualitative study. <i>BMC Public Health</i>, 16(1), 174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34346en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationOkop, Kufre Joseph, Ferdinand C Mukumbang, Thubelihle Mathole, Naomi Levitt, and Thandi Puoane "Perceptions of body size, obesity threat and the willingness to lose weight among black South African adults: a qualitative study." <i>BMC Public Health</i> 16, 1. (2016): 174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34346en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationOkop, K.J., Mukumbang, F.C., Mathole, T., Levitt, N. & Puoane, T. 2016. Perceptions of body size, obesity threat and the willingness to lose weight among black South African adults: a qualitative study. <i>BMC Public Health.</i> 16(1):174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34346en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn1471-2458
dc.identifier.ris TY - Journal Article AU - Okop, Kufre Joseph AU - Mukumbang, Ferdinand C AU - Mathole, Thubelihle AU - Levitt, Naomi AU - Puoane, Thandi AB - Abstract Background The obesity epidemic is associated with rising rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among adults, particularly in countries undergoing rapid urbanisation and nutrition transition. This study explored the perceptions of body size, obesity risk awareness, and the willingness to lose weight among adults in a resource-limited urban community to inform appropriate community-based interventions for the prevention of obesity. Method This is a descriptive qualitative study. Semi-structured focus group discussions were conducted with purposively 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 (Kg/m 2 ). Participants were asked to discuss on perceived obesity threat and risk of cardiovascular disease. Information on body image perceptions and the willingness to lose excess body weight were also discussed. Discussions were conducted in the local language (isiXhosa), transcribed and translated into English. Data was analysed using the thematic analysis approach. Results Participants generally believed that obesity could lead to health conditions such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and hypertension. However, severity of obesity was perceived differently in the groups. Men in all groups and women in the obese and optimal weight groups perceived obesity to be a serious threat to their health, whereas the overweight women did not. Obese participants who had experienced chronic disease conditions indicated strong perceptions of risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease. Obese participants, particularly men, expressed willingness to lose weight, compared to the men and women who were overweight. The belief that overweight is ‘normal’ and not a disease, subjective norms, and inaccessibility to physical activity facilities, negatively influenced participants’ readiness to lose weight. Conclusion Low perception of threat of obesity to health particularly among overweight women in this community indicates a considerable challenge to obesity control. Community health education and promotion programmes that increase awareness about the risk associated with overweight, and improve the motivation for physical activity and maintenance of optimal body weight are needed. DA - 2016 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town IS - 1 J1 - BMC Public Health LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 2016 SM - 1471-2458 T1 - Perceptions of body size, obesity threat and the willingness to lose weight among black South African adults: a qualitative study TI - Perceptions of body size, obesity threat and the willingness to lose weight among black South African adults: a qualitative study UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34346 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/34346
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationOkop KJ, Mukumbang FC, Mathole T, Levitt N, Puoane T. Perceptions of body size, obesity threat and the willingness to lose weight among black South African adults: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health. 2016;16(1):174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34346.en_ZA
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Medicine
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciences
dc.sourceBMC Public Health
dc.source.journalissue1
dc.source.journalvolume16
dc.source.pagination174 - 177
dc.source.urihttps://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3028-7
dc.subject.otherBody image
dc.subject.otherIntention
dc.subject.otherObesity
dc.subject.otherOverweight
dc.subject.otherPhysical Activity
dc.subject.otherRisk perception
dc.subject.otherSouth Africa
dc.subject.otherWeight gain
dc.subject.otherWeight loss
dc.subject.otherWillingness
dc.subject.otherAdult
dc.subject.otherAfrican Continental Ancestry Group
dc.subject.otherAged
dc.subject.otherBody Image
dc.subject.otherBody Mass Index
dc.subject.otherBody Size
dc.subject.otherCardiovascular Diseases
dc.subject.otherExercise
dc.subject.otherFemale
dc.subject.otherFocus Groups
dc.subject.otherHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
dc.subject.otherHumans
dc.subject.otherMale
dc.subject.otherMiddle Aged
dc.subject.otherMotivation
dc.titlePerceptions of body size, obesity threat and the willingness to lose weight among black South African adults: a qualitative study
dc.typeJournal Article
uct.type.publicationResearch
uct.type.resourceJournal Article
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