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Beliefs and attitudes to obesity, its risk factors and consequences in a Xhosa community : a qualitative study

Thesis (MMed)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.

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Main Author: Akinrinlola, Olatunbosun A.
Other Authors: Blitz, Julia
Format: Thesis
Language:en_ZA
Published: Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University 2015
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access_status_str Open Access
author Akinrinlola, Olatunbosun A.
author2 Blitz, Julia
author_browse Akinrinlola, Olatunbosun A.
Blitz, Julia
author_facet Blitz, Julia
Akinrinlola, Olatunbosun A.
author_sort Akinrinlola, Olatunbosun A.
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv Stellenbosch University
description Thesis (MMed)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.
format Thesis
id oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/97211
institution Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
language en_ZA
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:43:36.943Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
publishDate 2015
publishDateRange 2015
publishDateSort 2015
publisher Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
publisherStr Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
record_format dspace
source_str SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
spelling oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/97211 Beliefs and attitudes to obesity, its risk factors and consequences in a Xhosa community : a qualitative study Akinrinlola, Olatunbosun A. Blitz, Julia Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Health Sciences. Dept. of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Obesity -- Social aspects -- Cape Town UCTD UCTD Thesis (MMed)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. Background: The issue of obesity is an important one because in some communities obesity is perceived in many ways such that it is not recognised as a problem as typified by the black community of Khayelitsha with high levels of obesity and associated diseases but low levels of concern and recognition of the problem. This study aimed to explore this by trying to understand how people think and feel about their obesity in a peri-urban Xhosa community, with a view to improving interventions that will reduce the burden of disease related to overweight and obesity as well as with prevention programmes targeted at obesity as a risk factor. Methods: A qualitative study was carried out using recorded interviews of 8 purposively selected subjects who are long term Xhosa-speaking residents, 18 years and older, with BMI more than 30 and no Diabetes, Hypertension or Osteoarthritis at Nolungile CHC, Khayelitsha, a peri-urban black community in Cape Town, South Africa. Results: Interviewed subjects identified various dietary factors for their obesity. These include overeating widely available fatty diets from street vendors, with a perception that cheap food is fatty food. They also attributed their obesity to other factors like poverty and clearly expressed that it is expensive to eat healthily. Other reasons given are a sedentary habit, fear of embarrassment, safety issues and a poor support system regarding exercise. Respondents also differ in their behaviours towards their obesity but generally accept their obesity. Furthermore, they experienced various effects of their obesity. Other than being viewed as affluent and in good health by the community, respondents are aware of effects like compromised daily activities, associated chronic illnesses, dressing difficulties, aging and other negative effects. Conclusions: A few concepts, in agreement with previous linked studies were identified in relation to the Burden of disease, diet, exercise, socio-economic and perception issues. However, the effects of environmental influence on perceptions and behaviour regarding exercise and diet were found. This seemed to indicate an evolving culture in transition. Based on these understandings, health intervention should be directed at addressing such local beliefs and behaviour at the community level, with a need for control of environmental factors. Further studies regarding weight loss was suggested. 2015-07-22T13:41:59Z 2015-07-22T13:41:59Z 2012-12 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/97211 en_ZA Stellenbosch University 17 pages application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
spellingShingle Obesity -- Social aspects -- Cape Town
UCTD
UCTD
Akinrinlola, Olatunbosun A.
Beliefs and attitudes to obesity, its risk factors and consequences in a Xhosa community : a qualitative study
title Beliefs and attitudes to obesity, its risk factors and consequences in a Xhosa community : a qualitative study
title_full Beliefs and attitudes to obesity, its risk factors and consequences in a Xhosa community : a qualitative study
title_fullStr Beliefs and attitudes to obesity, its risk factors and consequences in a Xhosa community : a qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed Beliefs and attitudes to obesity, its risk factors and consequences in a Xhosa community : a qualitative study
title_short Beliefs and attitudes to obesity, its risk factors and consequences in a Xhosa community : a qualitative study
title_sort beliefs and attitudes to obesity its risk factors and consequences in a xhosa community a qualitative study
topic Obesity -- Social aspects -- Cape Town
UCTD
UCTD
url http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/97211
work_keys_str_mv AT akinrinlolaolatunbosuna beliefsandattitudestoobesityitsriskfactorsandconsequencesinaxhosacommunityaqualitativestudy