Obesity, Overweight, and Perceptions about Body Weight among Middle-Aged Adults in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Muhihi, Alfa; Njelekela, Marina; Mpembeni, Rose; Mwiru, Ramadhani S.; Mligiliche, N; Mtabaji, Jacob

doi:10.5402/2012/368520

Cited by 43 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Over this 10 year follow-up period, the prevalence of obesity increased by 29–66% [6], while the prevalence of MetS in this same cohort at baseline was as high as 50%. Notably, 74% of the women underestimated their actual body sizes [6]; this is consistent with similar research within South Africa [7] and sub-Saharan Africa [8], confirming that African women have a greater body size tolerance, and highlighting the challenges associated with weight-loss interventions in sub-Saharan Africa.…”

Section: The Problem Of Obesity and Cardiometabolic Risk In South Afrsupporting

confidence: 80%

Addressing the problem of obesity and associated cardiometabolic risk in black South African women – time for action!

Goedecke

2017

Global Health Action

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The PhD thesis of Gradidge, entitled ‘Factors associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome in an ageing cohort of black women living in Soweto, Johannesburg (Study of Women in and Entering Endocrine Transition [SWEET])’, attempts to understand the determinants of obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a population of urban-dwelling black South African women. A conceptual framework is presented, which positions obesity as the central risk factor for MetS, and includes the possible influence of socioeconomic status, lifestyle behaviours and body size perceptions, as key determinants of obesity. This commentary focuses on the two main findings of Gradidge’s thesis, namely, (i) physical activity and sedentary behaviour, and (ii) body composition and adiponectin, as risk factors for obesity and MetS in black South African women. Despite a high prevalence of obesity (48%), Gradidge showed that 75% of the women taking part in the study were meeting WHO guidelines on physical activity. This commentary suggests that the relationship between physical activity and cardiometabolic risk may be confounded by socioeconomic status. Alternatively, the intensity, and not necessarily the volume, of activity, as well as high rates of sedentary behaviour are posited as important determinants of obesity and MetS in black South African women. Accordingly, this commentary questions the veracity of the WHO guidelines on physical activity in developing countries, where most women meet the guidelines but have very poor cardiorespiratory fitness, are obese and are at high risk of MetS. Gradidge also showed that the most consistent and significant correlate of MetS in this cohort of middle-aged women was low serum levels of adiponectin. This commentary highlights various lifestyle interventions that have been shown to increase adiponectin levels. Finally, the importance of immediate action to address the problem of obesity and MetS is emphasised.

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Section: The Problem Of Obesity and Cardiometabolic Risk In South Afrsupporting

confidence: 80%

Addressing the problem of obesity and associated cardiometabolic risk in black South African women – time for action!

Goedecke

2017

Global Health Action

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“…Research reported that Chinese girls with normal weight were more likely to misperceive themselves as overweight, whereas more Chinese boys misclassified their normal weight status as underweight [17]. The gender difference of adult Chinese American in this study was similar as Chinese adolescents and also similar as other ethnic groups [16, 18]. However, gender difference of body weight perception was not suitable for all ethnic groups.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 62%

Accuracy of body weight perception and obesity among Chinese Americans

Liu

et al. 2016

Obesity Research & Clinical Practice

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Background Accuracy of body weight perception is an individual’s perception of their body weight in comparison with actual body weight and is associated with weight related behaviors. Chinese Americans have increased risk for obesity but no studies have examined accuracy of body weight perception. Methods This study was a descriptive and cross-sectional study, which was conducted in a community health center in New York. Study subjects were all Chinese-American adults. Demographic information, accuracy of perception of body weight, anthropometric measures (Weight, Height, BMI, weight to height ratio, weight to hip ratio), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), HbA1C and obesity related disease including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, stroke were assessed. Results A total of 162 Chinese American were recruited.52 subjects (32%) did not perceive body weight correctly, in which 32 subjects had underestimation and 20 subjects had overestimation of body weight. Significant differences were found among subjects in three groups of different accuracy of body weight perception in terms of gender (p=0.003), age (p=0.003), education years (p=0.047). WC (p<0.001), HC (p=<0.001), weight/height ratio (p=0.001), BMI (p<0.001). Subjects in consistent/accurate estimation group and underestimation group had similar obesity related-characteristics but different from subjects in overestimation group. Discussion and Conclusion The study identified around one third of Chinese American did not perceive their body weight correctly. Intervention studies for obesity management in Chinese American should address gender difference, target on older subjects, and focus on educating the normal values and significances of WC, HC and HbA1C among Chinese Americans.

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“…Our previous study among middle-aged adults in Dar es Salaam also showed that a higher proportion of women perceived their weight as obese compared to men (Muhihi et al, 2012). A recent study among children and teenagers has indicated a similar pattern of more girls perceiving themselves as more overweight/obese, and consequently tend to lose weight than boys (Darshini & Rajeshi, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Overweight, obesity and perceptions about body weight among primary schoolchildren in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Mpembeni

Muhihi

Maghembe

et al. 2014

Tanzania J Hlth Res

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The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity among children has become a public health concern both in developing and developed countries. Previous research studies have shown that favourable perception of one's body weight is an important factor in weight control. This study determined prevalence of overweight and obesity and assessed perception about body weight among primary schoolchildren in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. In this cross sectional study, nine schools were selected randomly from a list of all primary schools in Dar es Salaam. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle information including perception about body weight. Height and weight were measured following standard procedures. Chi-square tests and multiple logistic regressions were used to determine factors which influence perceptions about body weight. A total of 446 children were included into the study. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 16.6±4.0kg/m2 (16.1±4.0 for males and 17.0±4.0 for females). Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 9.8% and 5.2%, respectively. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was significantly higher among girls, 13.1% and 6.3% compared to boys with 6.3% and 3.8% overweight and obese respectively (P=0.0314). Overall, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 15.0% (10.1% among boys and 19.4% among girls). One-third (33.3%) of the children perceived their body weight as overweight or obese. Among overweight and obese children, 35.4% had unfavourable perception of their body weights. There was a statistically significant difference between perceived body weight and actual body weight as indicated by BMI for both boys and girls (P<0.05). Age of the child (AOR=O.55 95%CI 0.36-0.85) and area of residence (COR=0.64 95% CI 0.44-0.95) were found to be significant predictors of favourable perception of one's body weight. In conclusion, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is not very high in this population. However over a third of overweight and obese children, had unfavourable perception of their body weights. We recommend targeted educational programmes about overweight and obesity and the associated health effects in order to instil a behaviour of self consciousness on overweight and obesity among children in Tanzania.

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Obesity, Overweight, and Perceptions about Body Weight among Middle-Aged Adults in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Cited by 43 publications

References 34 publications

Addressing the problem of obesity and associated cardiometabolic risk in black South African women – time for action!

Addressing the problem of obesity and associated cardiometabolic risk in black South African women – time for action!

Accuracy of body weight perception and obesity among Chinese Americans

Overweight, obesity and perceptions about body weight among primary schoolchildren in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

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