Obesity has reached epidemic levels within the UK and the implications are many. Recently Shoneye et al. researched the difference in ‘attitudes to weight and weight control’ between black and white British women in the UK. They discovered that obesity is much more acceptable amongst black women than white women, even though education w.r.t. nutrition was determined to be effectively the same. This is one explanation for higher rates of obesity amongst black women in the UK. 1
As the south-east Asian population also has high rates of obesity (and diabetes, a disease closely related to obesity) I would like to establish the attitudes of south-east Asian women towards obesity, with the aim that it may provide solutions with regards to how to tackle this trend in disease. Hopefully this will also act as a useful addition to Shoneye et al’s research in way of furthering our understanding of obesity in society.1
Research question = What are the attitudes to food, weight and weight control amongst the female south-east Asian community in the UK?
Topics:
- causes of obesity
- risks of obesity
- Perception of obesity
- food preferences
- perceptions of food and its role in society
- Understanding of strategies to lose weight
- Control of food consumption
Questions (semi-structured qualitative interview)
1. what do you think obesity is? (use this opportunity to correct misunderstanding)
2. Why do you think people become obese?
3. What do you think the impacts of obesity are on human health?
4. What do you think the impacts of obesity are on people’s lives (steer away from health issues, but allow for the impact of the limitations of these health issues on peoples day-day lives)
5. Do you have any particular views on obesity?
6. What do you think the views in society are with regards to obesity?
7. How important is food for you?
8. What is the significance of food for you and in your family?
9. Who do you think has control over the food you eat?
10. Have you ever felt pressured to eat things you didn’t want to eat? (from another person or a company or any 3rd party)
11. What do you think are the best ways to lose weight?
12. Would you say that the same strategies would work for everyone?
(I'm not sure if this is exactly what was wanted?? Hope it's ok)