Perception of overweight and obesity from different angles: a qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sociology
• Psychology

Background:

• The global obesity pandemic continues to rise, leading to significant health and economic burdens.
• Overweight and obesity are associated with negative outcomes, including discrimination and stigmatization.
• Understanding public perceptions of obesity is vital for developing effective stigma-reduction interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a questionnaire for assessing attitudes towards obesity.
• To enhance existing instruments for measuring obesity-related perceptions.
• To explore common views on overweight and obesity in diverse populations.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study design.
• Focus groups conducted with normal-weight individuals, overweight individuals, and healthcare professionals.

Main Results:

• Discussions on overweight and obesity showed no substantial differences between participant groups.
• Obesity is subjectively defined, influenced by aesthetics, sympathy, and activity levels.
• Obesity is largely perceived as controllable, though societal factors are acknowledged, and negative attributions are common for individuals with obesity.

Conclusions:

• The study illuminates the lived realities and perceptions of different groups regarding obesity.
• Findings can inform improvements in instruments measuring attitudes toward obesity.
• Understanding subjective definitions and attributions is crucial for addressing weight stigma.