Department of Nutrition & Health, College of Food and Agriculture, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Health Soc Care Community. 2010 Mar;18(2):219-28. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2524.2009.00896.x. Epub 2010 Jan 4.
Obesity and associated chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, are highly prevalent in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This qualitative study explored weight management behaviours and perceptions of women who are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes through focus group interviews. A total of 75 Emirati national women (age, 20-60 years) considered high risk for type 2 diabetes participated in eight focus groups. Purposive sampling was used to recruit women from primary healthcare centres (PHCs) in Al Ain, UAE. Qualitative research methodology involving a modified approach to grounded theory was used to guide data collection and analysis. Focus group interviews transcripts were thematically analyzed using NVivo software. A number of personal, social and physical environmental themes emerged as both barriers and enablers that are consistent with the social ecological model of health promotion. Low motivation, lack of social support, competing demands, lack of culturally-sensitive exercise facilities and sociocultural norms that restrict outdoor physical activities were the main barriers cited by the participants. On the other hand, social support, such as having other women to walk with, helped them stay physically active. Suggestions from the participants included enhancing social support for women, greater access to dietitians and nutrition information, and increasing availability of culturally-sensitive exercise facilities. This study provides valuable information in the development of culturally congruent healthy weight promotion programmes for women at risk for type 2 diabetes in the UAE and has implications for obesity intervention programmes for women in other Arabian Gulf countries.
肥胖症和相关的慢性疾病，如 2 型糖尿病，在阿拉伯联合酋长国（阿联酋）非常普遍。本定性研究通过焦点小组访谈探讨了 2 型糖尿病高危女性的体重管理行为和认知。共有 75 名被认为有 2 型糖尿病高危风险的阿联酋籍女性（年龄 20-60 岁）参加了 8 个焦点小组。采用目的抽样法从阿联酋艾因的初级保健中心（PHC）招募女性。使用一种改良的扎根理论方法指导数据收集和分析，采用定性研究方法。使用 NVivo 软件对焦点小组访谈记录进行主题分析。一些个人、社会和物理环境主题作为促进健康的社会生态模型的障碍和促进因素出现。参与者提到的主要障碍包括：低动机、缺乏社会支持、需求竞争、缺乏文化敏感的锻炼设施以及限制户外活动的社会文化规范。另一方面，社会支持，如与其他女性一起散步，帮助她们保持身体活跃。参与者提出的建议包括增强对女性的社会支持、更多地获得营养师和营养信息，以及增加文化敏感的锻炼设施的供应。这项研究为在阿联酋为有 2 型糖尿病风险的女性制定文化上一致的健康体重促进计划提供了有价值的信息，并对其他阿拉伯海湾国家的女性肥胖干预计划具有启示意义。
