TITLE:
Obesity: A Potential Pandemic for the 21st Century among the Youths in Zimbabwe
AUTHORS:
Esther Mufunda, Lynah Makuyana
KEYWORDS:
Obesity, Pandemic, Perceptions, Youths, Zimbabwe
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Diabetes Mellitus,
Vol.6 No.2,
April
29,
2016
ABSTRACT: Background: Obesity is now reported as an epidemic in many developed
countries, and it is an emerging public health concern in developing,
transitional, and newly developed countries. The incidence of obesity increases during adolescence and persists
into adulthood and becomes irreversible. In addition to biological
causes like inheritance, cultural factors (such as dietary knowledge, attitudes
and behaviours), socio-demographic factors may also play a central role in the
etiology of obesity. The aim of the
study was to describe young adults’ knowledge and perceptions about
obesity, with a focus on comprehensibility and meaningfulness of obesity in
their daily lives and its health implications. Methods: A cross-sectional
descriptive design was used with 96 participants aged 18 - 35 years. The respondents’ body mass indices (BMI)
were calculated from self-reported weights and heights. Descriptive
analytical, statistical methods were used for data analysis. Results: The
youths had good knowledge about obesity, its causes and associated complications.
Generally, negative attitudes toward obesity were reported. Some perceived
obesity as the ideal body image among today’s youths while others perceived
obesity as something that was beyond their control. Identified knowledge gaps
were in the area of obesity and nutrition knowledge, food preferences and
implications to health. Knowledge deficit about obesity might lead to poor
health-related behaviours with its associated complications. Conclusion: There
is a need to intensify community-focused health education as a preventive
strategy to empower the youths to take charge of their health and change their
perceptions about obesity.