title: Adults' perceptions of being overweight or obese: a focus group study.
abstract: The objective of this study was to explore the perception of, feelings and attitudes toward overweight or obesity, and the perceived barriers to weight loss among native adults from lower socio-economic background. A total of six gender- and ethnic-specific focus groups consisted of 38 overweight and obese purposefully and criterion selected adults (21 women and 17 men), participated in this study. An unstructured discussion guide based on the study objectives were used for the focus groups. The results showed that some participants perceived themselves as ugly, felt ashamed of their body size and were frustrated because they did not desire to be overweight. Due to their excess weight, most also expressed they were less effective in their work performances. Although some participants had negative attitudes toward themselves because of excess weight, this appeared to link to self-stigmatization rather than anti-obesity discrimination. The participants remained in the Pre-contemplation stage of losing weight probably because of perceived barriers such as difficulty to resist eating, lack of know how and previous failed attempts to lose weight. Importantly, this study provided some evidence that individuals in the Pre-contemplation stage are unable to take action to lose weight, even if effective strategies are suggested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Lot 77, Seksyen 22 KTLD, Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce, 93150 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. ccthon@fmhs.unimas.my
authors.forename: Ching Thon
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Kam Hock
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Whye Lian
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Cheah
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D006963:Hyperphagia / Q000523:psychology; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology*; D012424:Rural Population; D012649:Self Concept; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D015431:Weight Loss