Tuoyire Derek Anamaale, Kumi-Kyereme Akwasi, Doku David Teye, Amo-Adjei Joshua
a Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences , University of Cape Coast , Cape Coast , Ghana.
b Department of Population & Health , University of Cape Coast , Cape Coast , Ghana.
Women Health. 2018 May-Jun;58(5):583-597. doi: 10.1080/03630242.2017.1321607. Epub 2017 May 12.
Body size issues are gaining public health attention because of the fast rising epidemic of overweight and obesity across the globe. This study explored Ghanaian women's subjective perceptions regarding ideal body size for women. A purposive sampling strategy was employed in recruiting 36 women across the body weight spectrum from Tamale (n = 17) and Accra (n = 19) in Ghana. Qualitative data were obtained from in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. Data from the interviews were analyzed deductively. The mean body mass index of participants was 33.5 ± 10 kg/m: sixteen of the participants were obese, eight were overweight, eleven were normal weight, and one was underweight. The participants almost unanimously had a preference for an ideal body size slightly above the normal, but not necessarily obese. Typically described as "not too skinny, but not too fat," this preferred ideal reflected a fuller, curvier, and shapelier body, as opposed to the Western ideal of thinner body type. Women often felt pressured by peers and family members to have a slightly heavier body size. Health education efforts are needed to focus on messages that seek to challenge existing body size perceptions that may inhibit women's willingness to maintain a healthy body weight.
由于全球超重和肥胖问题迅速蔓延，体型问题日益受到公共卫生领域的关注。本研究探讨了加纳女性对理想女性体型的主观认知。采用目的抽样策略，从加纳塔马利（n = 17）和阿克拉（n = 19）招募了36名体重范围各异的女性。通过使用半结构化访谈指南进行深入访谈获取定性数据。对访谈数据进行演绎分析。参与者的平均体重指数为33.5 ± 10 kg/m²：16名参与者肥胖，8名超重，11名体重正常，1名体重过轻。参与者几乎一致倾向于略高于正常但不一定肥胖的理想体型。这种理想体型通常被描述为“不太瘦，但也不太胖”，反映出一种更丰满、更有曲线和更有型的身材，与西方更瘦的理想体型不同。女性经常感到来自同龄人和家庭成员的压力，要求她们拥有略重一些的体型。需要开展健康教育，重点传达旨在挑战可能抑制女性保持健康体重意愿的现有体型观念的信息。
