Perceptions of indigenous women about obesity David Mphuthi

Perceptions of indigenous women about obesity David Mphuthi Atlanta (USA) 08 December 2015

South African map

Indigenous people

Definitions • Indigenous people are described as the first nations. • Present pre-colonial invasion, had strong relationship with their land. • Forced into accepting the way other nations around them lived. • Culture, knowledge as well as language are on the verge of extinction.

Definitions Cont……. • Obesity is abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health • Body Mass Index (BMI) is the simplex index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify over weight (kg/m²) • BMI greater than or equal to 25 is overweight • BMI greater than or equal to 30 is obesity • Same for both sexes and ages (WHO, 2015)

Introduction • 1. 9 billion overweight and 600 million obese • 13% worldwide adults are obese (11% men & 15% women) • 39% worldwide adults are overweight (38% men & 40% women) • Worldwide obesity has doubled between 1980 and 2014 • Adult is anybody over the age of 18 years

BRICS overweight comparison

Aim and objectives • The study aimed at eliciting the views of indigenous women about obesity by: • Exploring and describing the perceptions of indigenous women about obesity • Making health awareness campaign regarding healthy living style amongst the indigenous women where study was conducted

Problem The WHO alludes that obesity is a global epidemic. The same organisation claims that the developed countries are more affected than developing ones. However, the burden of obesity related comorbid conditions are more affecting the developing countries. It was for this reason that the researcher would like to explore the perceptions of indigenous women about obesity.

Approach • Qualitative methodology was used • Face to face in depth interviews were conducted • Desk top literature review was conducted • The setting was a small village where indigenous people of South Africa • Ethical considerations were taken into account

Findings • Obesity was associated with good health “I cannot be like a young girl…my parents will think that I am not staying well in my marriage” “If I am thin…eeeeh, people might think I have AIDS, therefore they must see that I am not sick” “As a woman you must have some extra packs. . and not look like a man”

Findings continue • Self-image about obesity “Sometime I feel sorry for obese people as they have lot of problems…breathing, running and eating” “Some of the transport we use don’t treat obese people like living humans…. especially taxi drivers” “I don’t see any good reason of being fat, as you don’t look in shape”

Findings cont. . • Causes of obesity “We don’t eat the healthy food like our forefathers…. ehmm they lived on fresh vegetables and fruits from the soil” “Lack of sport for the little ones” “they come from school they are lazy then don’t want to do anything…. just sleep and eat”

Conclusion • Obesity as a global epidemic affects everybody • Diseases such as HIV/AIDS has contributed to societal obesity • Obesity related conditions are now over looked and have increased the death rate • Eating habits, inactivity are the leading courses of obesity globally