Gesundheitswesen 2011; 73 - A270
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1283633

Perception of overweight and obesity from different angles – A qualitative study

C Sikorski 1, C Riedel 2, B Pantenburg 2, P Werner 3, SG Riedel-Heller 4
  • 1Leipzig University Medical Center, IFB AdiposityDiseases; Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, Public Health Research Unit, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
  • 2Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, Public Health Research Unit, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
  • 3Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
  • 4Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig,, Leipzig, Germany

Background/Objectives: Obesity prevalence is rising in most countries (1). Aside from negative consequences such as various co-morbidities, reduced life expectancy and the economic impact on health care systems, overweight individuals are also negatively affected by perceived stigmatization and discrimination (2–4). Elucidating the general public's views and perceptions regarding overweight and obesity as well as those of specific populations (e.g. health care professionals) is crucial to develop stigma-reduction interventions. This qualitative study involved focus groups with normal- and overweight members of the general public and health care professionals. The aim was to develop an appropriate questionnaire for a survey to follow. Methods: Focus groups served as a qualitative approach to inform the development of an interview schedule for the project „Stigma of overweight and obesity in the general population and among health care professionals“ conducted at Leipzig Medical Center, IFB Adiposity Diseases. Focus groups followed a semi-structured format based on 7 main questions complemented with follow-up questions as needed. Results: Contents of the discussion regarding overweight and obesity did not differ substantially between groups. The definition of obesity was a subjective construct influenced mainly by esthetics, sympathy and activity. Obesity was mainly seen as a controllable condition; however, external, such as societal, factors were also named. As expected, obese individuals are ascribed mainly negative attributions. Discussion/Conclusions: Contrary to quantitative analyses of questionnaires, no relevant information is lost due to necessary abstraction and summarization in means and can therefore contribute to enhancing quantitative research on stigma of obesity. This study enlightens lived realities of different groups of people. The results can serve to improve existing instruments for measuring attitudes towards obesity. As linking obesity and overweight to an individual's failure of a healthy lifestyle is associated with attribution of stereotypes and stigma, public campaigns on obesity etiology may help to reduce weight stigma.

Literatur:

1. World Health Organization. WHO Global InfoBase: Data for saving lives. https://apps.who.int/infobase/comparestart.aspx. 2010. 2. Pi-Sunyer X. The medical risks of obesity. Postgrad Med 2009; 121:21–33. 3. Puhl RM, Brownell KD. Bias, discrimination, and obesity. Obes Res 2001;9:788–805. 4. Puhl RM, Brownell KD. Psychosocial origins of obesity stigma: Toward changing a powerful and pervasive bias. Obes Rev 2003;4:213–27.