Beliefs about causes and consequences of obesity among women in two Mexican cities

Indicators of Dietary Behavior and Physical Activity Change Associated with Metabolic Control of Obesity, Hypertension, and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Mexican Adults: National Nutrition and Health Survey in Mexico, 2016

Introduction: Obesity (OB), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), and hypertension (HTN) are health issues in Mexico linked to unhealthy behaviors. This study investigates the relationship between behavior change indicators and metabolic control in Mexican adults with OB, T2D, and HTN. Methods: We used data from the 2016 National Health and Nutrition Survey Midway (ENSANUT MC-2016), representing ∼59.5 million Mexican adults aged 20-59 with these conditions. We assessed behavior change indicators, including stages of change, self-efficacy, and perceptions of benefits and barriers. In addition, we conducted descriptive analyses and used statistical tests, such as Pearson's chi-squared test and logistic regression models, adjusted for multiple variables. Results: We found that adults in the action and maintenance stages of physical activity (PA) were four times more likely to have adequate HTN control than those in the precontemplation stage. Self-efficacy for PA was related to better control in T2D and HTN. Self-efficacy for reducing the consumption of sugary beverages was positively associated with control in OB and T2D. No significant association was observed with self-efficacy for consuming fruits and vegetables. Conclusion: Behavior-change indicators are significantly linked to metabolic control in adults with HTN. These results support the importance of these indicators in managing chronic diseases such as HTN and their potential use in public health strategies.

Weight bias among Canadians: Associations with sociodemographics, BMI and body image constructs

This cross-sectional study examined the associations between sociodemographic characteristics, BMI, and body image constructs (body satisfaction and weight bias internalization; WBI) and explicit weight bias. A near-representative sample of 995 English-speaking Canadian adults (52% Female) completed a survey which assessed explicit weight bias (Anti-Fat Attitudes questionnaire), body satisfaction (Body Shape Satisfaction Scale), WBI (Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale), and self-reported height and weight. Multiple linear regression analyses were run. Results showed that the variable that explained the most variance in explicit weight bias was WBI, followed by BMI. Higher levels of WBI and a lower BMI were both significantly associated with greater explicit weight bias. Male sex was associated with both disliking people with obesity and thinking obesity is attributable to lack of willpower, whereas female sex was associated with worrying about weight gain. The current findings emphasize the importance of future research efforts aimed at preventing or mitigating WBI to reduce negative attitudes about people with obesity.

Does weight-related stigmatisation and discrimination depend on educational attainment and level of income? A systematic review

OBJECTIVES

Obesity is considered a global health issue, because of its health-related consequences and also because of its impact on social status as a result of stigma. This study aims to review the quantitative state of research regarding socioeconomic characteristics' influence on weight-related stigmatisation and discrimination. Based on Bourdieu's Theory of Class and his concept of 'habitus', it is assumed that people with a higher level of education and income show stronger negative attitudes towards people with obesity.

METHOD

A narrative systematic literature review was conducted in 2017 using PubMed, PsychINFO, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library. Seventeen studies that measured weight bias and either educational attainment or level of income were included in the analysis.

RESULTS

The results of the studies included were inconsistent: six of these studies were found to support the hypothesis, whereas two of the studies contradicted it. The remaining seven studies did not show any significant correlation between weight bias and either education or income.

CONCLUSION

In light of the inconsistent and heterogeneous results of the studies that report a significant association between weight bias and socioeconomic variables, the findings must be discussed concerning their cultural context, that is, cultural and governmental differences. Furthermore, educational attainment seems to be more likely to predict weight bias than income. The review revealed a lack of research when it came to examining the impact of socioeconomic capital on weight bias.

Beliefs and motives related to eating and body size: a comparison of high-BMI and normal-weight young adult women from rural and urban areas in Mexico

Background

Effective treatment and prevention of obesity and its co-morbidities requires the recognition and understanding of cultural and social aspects of eating practices. The objective of the present study was to identify social factors and beliefs that may explain undesirable eating practices among women with high body mass index (HBMI) compared with normal-weight (NW) women from rural and urban areas classified as middle-low socioeconomic status (SES) in the State of Querétaro, Mexico.

Methods

A qualitative technique with individual in-depth interviews was used. Fifty-five women with either NW or HBMI from rural and urban areas participated in the study. The responses were analyzed by coding and grouping text fragments into categories in a data matrix, in order to make comparisons between BMI groups and between rural and urban women.

Results

The habit of skipping breakfast prevailed among women with HBMI who also reported childhood food deprivation. Feelings related to eating seemed to be more important than losing weight among women with HBMI from urban and rural areas. Thus, overweight might be interpreted as a social symbol of the enjoyment of a good life, primarily in rural areas. Overweight was socially accepted when it occurred in children and in married woman, mainly because it is a symbol of the good life that the head of the household provides, and also because women may feel more relaxed about their weight when they already have a partner. The study also revealed that women with HBMI were not sufficiently motivated to lose weight unless they experience a physical indication of poor health.

Conclusion

The findings from this study are helpful in the understanding of the reasons why strategies for the prevention and treatment of obesity may not be as effective as expected. The belief system of particular social groups within different SESs should be considered in order to understand the etiology of obesity and develop effective strategies.