Views of Own Body Weight and the Perceived Risks of Developing Obesity and NCDs in South African Adults

Mashudu Manafe, Paul K. Chelule and Sphiwe Madiba
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Mashudu Manafe: Department of Human Nutrition & Dietetics, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
Paul K. Chelule: Department of Public Health, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
Sphiwe Madiba: Department of Public Health, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria 0001, South Africa

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-11

Abstract: Obesity has become a serious public health problem worldwide and is linked to an increased risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Poor self-perception of body weight is postulated to play a negative role in curbing increased rates of obesity. This study investigated the views of own body weight and perceived risk of developing NCDs in South African adults. This was a community-based quantitative study. Descriptive statistics were used, and logistic regression analysis was conducted on the data. A total of 1050 respondents took part in the study. Of the 161 respondents who perceived themselves to be normal weight, 98.8% ( n = 159) misperceived their body weight. The majority of respondents (>90%) who were overweight according to the calculated BMI perceived no risk of developing obesity-related diseases. Most of the respondents, 46% ( n = 253), believed that body weight was influenced by heredity. The method used for weight loss by 57% ( n = 173) of the respondents was exercising at home. There was a statistically significant association between Body Mass Index (BMI), employment status, risk of developing diabetes, and body weight misperception ( p < 0.05). Misperception of body weight was common among the study respondents and may influence weight control intervention strategies. Health promotion targeting personal behaviour, such as body weight self-perception, is crucial in supporting targeted strategies to address obesity in South Africa.

Keywords: perception; overweight; obesity; non-communicable diseases; body mass index (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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