Muhihi Alfa J, Njelekela Marina A, Mpembeni Rose, Mwiru Ramadhani S, Mligiliche Nuru, Mtabaji Jacob
Intervention Thematic Group, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 53, Ifakara, Morogoro, Tanzania.
Department of Physiology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
ISRN Obes. 2012 Aug 28;2012:368520. doi: 10.5402/2012/368520. eCollection 2012.
Background. Prevalence of obesity is increasing throughout the world at an alarming rate. Appropriate perception of one's own body weight is important for improved weight control behavior. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and assess perception of body weight among middle aged adults in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods. Structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic and lifestyle information including perception about body weight. Anthropometric measurements were taken by a trained person following standard procedures. Results. Prevalence of obesity was 13% and 36% among men and women, respectively. There was significant gender difference in perception of body weight (12% and 25% of men and women perceived their body weight as overweight). Only 2% of women perceived themselves as obese whereas none of the men did so. Among overweight men, only 22% perceived themselves as overweight/obese compared to 38% of overweight women who perceived themselves as overweight/obese. Overall, majority of the participants (87%) were willing to lose weight. Conclusions. There is a great difference between perceived and actual body weight with men underestimating their body weight more than women. Educational programs regarding overweight and obesity and the associated health consequences are highly recommended in Tanzania.
背景。全球肥胖率正以惊人的速度上升。正确认识自己的体重对于改善体重控制行为至关重要。本研究旨在确定坦桑尼亚达累斯萨拉姆中年成年人中超重和肥胖的患病率，并评估他们对体重的认知。方法。采用结构化问卷收集社会人口学和生活方式信息，包括对体重的认知。由经过培训的人员按照标准程序进行人体测量。结果。男性和女性的肥胖患病率分别为13%和36%。在体重认知方面存在显著的性别差异（12%的男性和25%的女性认为自己超重）。只有2%的女性认为自己肥胖，而男性中无人这样认为。在超重男性中，只有22%认为自己超重/肥胖，相比之下，超重女性中有38%认为自己超重/肥胖。总体而言，大多数参与者（87%）愿意减肥。结论。认知体重与实际体重之间存在很大差异，男性比女性更低估自己的体重。在坦桑尼亚，强烈建议开展关于超重和肥胖及其相关健康后果的教育项目。
