Adolescents’ understanding of obesity: a qualitative study from rural South Africa
Adolescents’ understanding of obesity: a qualitative study from rural South Africa
Background
Levels of obesity are rising in South Africa, notably among adolescent females. Excessive energy-dense diets and physical inactivity are among the factors contributing to this increase. Given that these factors are largely behavioural, understanding young people’s views of obesity can contribute to more targeted behavioural interventions. Yet little is known of how rural South African adolescents view obesity.
Objectives
The aim of this study was to explore rural South African adolescents’ views of obesity, including their understanding of its causes, consequences, and solutions.
Methods
This qualitative study took place within the MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt) study area, in rural northeast South Africa. Three focus group discussions were held with male (n = 16) and female adolescents (n = 15), aged 14–19 years in 2018. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and the Social Cognitive Theory used to frame the findings.
Results
Participants presented conflicting views of obesity, with both positive and negative opinions expressed. Causes of obesity were seen to be multifactorial, including genetics, diet, lack of physical activity, and HIV treatment. Adolescents proposed medication and hospitalisation as ways to address obesity. When discussing interventions to address obesity, adolescents expressed the need for more information, suggesting that providing information to both themselves and their family members as part of interventions would be important.
Conclusions
Rural South African adolescents have a complex perspective of obesity, likely driven in part by the current nutrition transition underway and do not inherently see individual behaviour as a driver or mitigator of obesity. Complex interventions including the involvement of other household members are needed to change adolescents’ views on the role of the individual, and ultimately, change both individual and household behaviour to prevent obesity.
Body mass index, perceptions, overweight, young people, Sub-Saharan Africa
Seabi, Tshegofatso M.
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Wagner, Ryan G.
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Norris, Shane A.
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Tollman, Stephen M.
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Twine, Rhian
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Dunger, David B.
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Kahn, Kathleen
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Seabi, Tshegofatso M.
f1c48b5b-09fc-4bd2-a6ac-eb9214a25796
Wagner, Ryan G.
03a17360-393e-4d3c-a35f-963d72025403
Norris, Shane A.
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Tollman, Stephen M.
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Twine, Rhian
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Dunger, David B.
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Kahn, Kathleen
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Seabi, Tshegofatso M., Wagner, Ryan G., Norris, Shane A., Tollman, Stephen M., Twine, Rhian, Dunger, David B. and Kahn, Kathleen
(2021)
Adolescents’ understanding of obesity: a qualitative study from rural South Africa.
Global Health Action, 14 (1), [1968598].
(doi:10.1080/16549716.2021.1968598).
Abstract
Background
Levels of obesity are rising in South Africa, notably among adolescent females. Excessive energy-dense diets and physical inactivity are among the factors contributing to this increase. Given that these factors are largely behavioural, understanding young people’s views of obesity can contribute to more targeted behavioural interventions. Yet little is known of how rural South African adolescents view obesity.
Objectives
The aim of this study was to explore rural South African adolescents’ views of obesity, including their understanding of its causes, consequences, and solutions.
Methods
This qualitative study took place within the MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt) study area, in rural northeast South Africa. Three focus group discussions were held with male (n = 16) and female adolescents (n = 15), aged 14–19 years in 2018. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and the Social Cognitive Theory used to frame the findings.
Results
Participants presented conflicting views of obesity, with both positive and negative opinions expressed. Causes of obesity were seen to be multifactorial, including genetics, diet, lack of physical activity, and HIV treatment. Adolescents proposed medication and hospitalisation as ways to address obesity. When discussing interventions to address obesity, adolescents expressed the need for more information, suggesting that providing information to both themselves and their family members as part of interventions would be important.
Conclusions
Rural South African adolescents have a complex perspective of obesity, likely driven in part by the current nutrition transition underway and do not inherently see individual behaviour as a driver or mitigator of obesity. Complex interventions including the involvement of other household members are needed to change adolescents’ views on the role of the individual, and ultimately, change both individual and household behaviour to prevent obesity.
Text
Adolescents understanding of obesity a qualitative study from rural South Africa
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More information
Submitted date: 17 December 2020
Accepted/In Press date: 11 August 2021
e-pub ahead of print date: 6 September 2021
Keywords:
Body mass index, perceptions, overweight, young people, Sub-Saharan Africa
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 504210
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/504210
ISSN: 1654-9716
PURE UUID: 0944c10c-b2be-4363-974a-52e8320dc8b8
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Date deposited: 29 Aug 2025 17:01
Last modified: 30 Aug 2025 02:02
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Contributors
Author:
Tshegofatso M. Seabi
Author:
Ryan G. Wagner
Author:
Stephen M. Tollman
Author:
Rhian Twine
Author:
David B. Dunger
Author:
Kathleen Kahn
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