Department of Physiotherapy, School of Therapeutic Sciences, University of The Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Sports Science, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
PLoS One. 2023 Jan 13;18(1):e0278935. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278935. eCollection 2023.
Excess weight gain is a problem with a significant impact on health and quality of life as well as the consequent economic burden on human populations. While society advocates preference for excess weight gain, limited evidence exists concerning postmenopausal women's experiences in Ghana.
The current study explored the experiences regarding excess weight (overweight and obesity) gain among Ghanaian postmenopausal women in Bono East (Techiman) region.
This is a qualitative exploratory descriptive study where anthropometric measurements [body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)] were determined and participants who were identified with excess weight (obesity and overweight) were recruited to participate in a focus group discussion (FGD). Four focus group discussions were held and 24 postmenopausal women (>45 years) in Techiman took part. Discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis.
From the qualitative analysis of the FGD, three major themes emerged from the study namely, (i) perception of body weight, (ii) measures to reduce body weight, and (iii) support to adhere to the weight management program. Sub-themes revealed that weight gained was viewed as the presence of diseases and admired by society as a culturally accepted body image. Diet-related changes, a combination of diet modification and physical activity, and weight management supplements emerged as measures to reduce excess weight. Support to adhere to the weight program included health education, access, affordable exercise facilities, and social support.
Sociocultural norms influence the image perception and acceptance of weight gain among postmenopausal women in Ghana, but there is an acknowledgment of the perceived negative health implications of such excess weight. Measures for weight reduction and support to adhere to the weight reduction programme require attention in Ghana.
体重增加是一个对健康和生活质量有重大影响的问题，也是人类群体经济负担的后果。尽管社会提倡偏好体重增加，但关于加纳绝经后妇女的相关经验却有限。
本研究旨在探讨加纳博诺东（特马）地区绝经后妇女超重（肥胖）的经历。
这是一项定性探索性描述性研究，其中进行了人体测量学测量[体重指数（BMI）、腰高比（WHtR）和腰臀比（WHR）]，并招募了被确定为超重（肥胖和超重）的参与者参加焦点小组讨论（FGD）。共进行了 4 次焦点小组讨论，特马有 24 名绝经后妇女（>45 岁）参加。讨论内容被录音并转录以供主题分析。
从 FGD 的定性分析中，研究得出了三个主要主题，即：（i）对体重的认知，（ii）减轻体重的措施，和（iii）支持坚持体重管理计划。子主题揭示了体重增加被视为疾病的存在，并被社会视为一种文化上可接受的体型。饮食相关的改变、饮食和体育活动的结合以及体重管理补充剂被视为减轻超重的措施。坚持体重计划的支持包括健康教育、获得途径、负担得起的锻炼设施和社会支持。
社会文化规范影响加纳绝经后妇女对体重增加的形象认知和接受，但她们也认识到这种超重带来的负面健康影响。需要关注加纳的体重减轻措施和支持坚持体重减轻计划。
