Body image and attitude towards weight control of black woman (25-44 years) in Mangaung

Abstract

Many scientists today view obesity not only as one of the major risks to health, but also ... as a complicated phenomenon. Many factors seem to playa role in the aetiology of obesity, such as socio-economic status, biological variables, psychological differences and culture. As far as culture is concerned, various researchers have noted that obesity among South African women is more prevalent in the black population. International studies suggested that black women tend to view themselves different than white women in terms of their body shape and size. Not only does culture seem to play a role in how these women view their own shape and size, but also in the satisfaction that individuals display with their bodies. African Americans, for instance, seem more satisfied with their bodies than their white counterparts. The main objective of this study was to determine the body image and attitude towards weight control of black women in the Mangaung area situated in the central Free State, South Africa. A representative sample of 500 African women, (age groups 25-34, and 35-44 years), from the Mangaung area of Bloemfontein, was selected for the study. The study focused on how this population viewed obesity, as well as general attitude towards weight control. The sample was subjected to anthropometrical measurements to determine fat percentage, waist-hip-ratio, weight and height of each respondent. Body image was determined by having the subjects respond to a series of five photographs, each depicting one of five calculated body mass index categories. Attitude towards weight control was determined with a 21-item attitude scale. The respondents were required to respond to each of the items during an interview with the researcher. More than fifty percent of the target population had a body mass index above 25kg/m2 . Fat percentage was very high, with mean percentages of 36.6% and 38.5% for the younger and older women respectively. More than 90 percent of the respondents had a high fat percentage (above 25%). Almost a third of the respondents viewed the overweight body as healthiest. Obese people were also considered to be more wealthy. Results with regard to the relationship between body size and physical attractiveness were contradictory. Although black women considered obesity to be healthy it was often not seen as attractive. Although the overweight body was viewed by many respondents as attractive, many women also considered the lower normal body weight as attractive. Thus most women in the target population viewed either the overweight or lower normal weight body as most attractive. Bodies that were viewed as attractive were often not seen as healthy by the same respondent. The body image of respondents and related satisfaction with larger bodies seems to influence eating behavior. Unlike the western view, this population was not motivated to control eating due to health concerns, as health was not considered by the respondents to be related to body size. Attitude towards weight control was not associated with percentage lifetime spent in an urban area. Culture seemed to have a strong influence on the population's attitude towards weight control. Addressing cultural, social and socio-economical aspects should form an integral part of health education programmes aimed at obesity management in black South African women.