title: Self-perception and quality of life among overweight and obese rural housewives in Kelantan, Malaysia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity, in the past was perceived to be the problem of the rich, but recent studies have reported that the problem of obesity is a worldwide problem and rural population is no less affected. Self-perceived health and weight appropriateness is an important component of weight-loss and eating behaviors and may be mediated by local, social and cultural patterning. In addition to the quality of life assessment, it should therefore be an important focal point for the design and implementation of clinical and public health policies.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study was carried out to assess the self-perception of weight appropriateness as well as the quality of life of overweight and obese individual among the rural population particularly among housewives. A total of 421 respondents participated in the study which consisted of 36.6% in the overweight and 63.4% in the obese categories.
  
  
  RESULTS
  the analysis of the survey revealed that self-perception regarding obesity among respondents show common similarities, particularly in self reporting on health, dietary habit and also the concept of beauty and a beautiful body. Character and behavior are highly regarded in evaluating a person's self-worth in society. The results on the quality of life using the ORWELL 97 instrument show that the quality of life of respondents was moderate. Most of the respondents were aware of their body weight and indicated an intention to lose weight but also reported themselves as healthy or very healthy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the survey indicated that perception on obesity did not differed very much between respondents, in fact there existed a lot of similarities in their perception about health, quality of life, personal health and self-satisfaction with own body. However, their quality of life was within the normal or moderate level based on the ORWELL 97 assessment. Even though most of the respondents were aware of their body weight and indicated an intention to lose weight they also reported themselves as healthy or very healthy, suggesting that public health messages intended for rural housewives need to be more tailored to health-related consequences of fatness.
authors: Department of Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, 16150, Malaysia. wanmanan@usm.my.
authors: Wan Abdul Manan Wan
authors: WA
authors: Muda
authors: Department of Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, 16150, Malaysia. dieudonnekuate@gmail.com.|Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of sciences University of Dschang, PO Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon. dieudonnekuate@gmail.com.
authors: Dieudonne
authors: D
authors: Kuate
authors: Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. rohanajalil@usm.my.
authors: Rohana Abdul
authors: RA
authors: Jalil
authors: Program of Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. wsuriati@usm.my.
authors: Wan Suriati Wan
authors: WS
authors: Nik
authors: Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. azimahkck@usm.my.
authors: Siti Azima
authors: SA
authors: Awang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006796:Household Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012424:Rural Population; D012649:Self Concept; D057566:Self Report; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult