title: Family Food Providers' Perceptions of the Causes of Obesity and Effectiveness of Weight Control Strategies in Five Countries in the Asia Pacific Region: A Cross-Sectional Survey.
abstract: The rise of the middle classes in developing countries and the associated epidemiological transition raises the importance of assessing this population group's awareness of the causes of obesity and effective weight control strategies in order to develop effective health promotion strategies. The study aimed to examine the perceptions of the causes of obesity and weight control strategies held by middle class household food providers in Melbourne, Singapore, Shanghai, Indonesia and Vietnam. An online survey was conducted in late 2013, early 2014 among 3945 respondents. Information about body weight concerns, perceived causes of obesity, effectiveness of weight control methods, demographics, self-reported height and weight, and personal values was elicited. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) derived nine reliable factors which were used in structural equation modelling (SEM). Two thirds of respondents were trying to change their body weight, of them, 71% were trying to lose weight. The CFA and SEM showed that demographics, region of residence, personal values and perceptions of the causes of obesity (Unhealthy food behaviours, influencesBeyond personal controlandEnvironmental influences) had direct and indirect associations with three weight control methods factors, named:Healthy habits, Eat less, sit less, andDieting.Middle class food providers in the study regions share public health views of obesity causation and personal weight control. These findings could inform public health and food policies, and the design of public health interventions and communications. Further research is required among lower socio economic status (SES) populations.
authors.affiliation: School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood 3125, Australia. tonyw@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Worsley
authors.affiliation: School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood 3125, Australia. w.wang@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood 3125, Australia. rs156@Uowmail.edu.au.|Health Promotion Board, 168937 Singapore, Singapore. rs156@Uowmail.edu.au.
authors.forename: Rani
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sarmugam
authors.affiliation: School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood 3125, Australia. pth.quynh@hutech.edu.vn.
authors.forename: Quynh
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Pham
authors.affiliation: SEAMEO REFCON (Regional Centre for Food and Nutrition) Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 10038, Indonesia. judhiastuty@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Judhiastuty
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Februhartanty
authors.affiliation: School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood 3125, Australia. s.ridley@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Stacey
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ridley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001208:Asia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001835:Body Weight; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007214:Indonesia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014744:Vietnam / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Asia Pacific; food providers; obesity; perceptions; survey; weight concerns