Adult Women Perception towards Obesity and Its Intervention Strategies in the Community - A Qualitative Study

Obesity was one of the health problems experienced in the society, especially in adult women and the number was increasing rapidly every year. The various factors contribute to the obesity occurrence in adult women and appropriate obesity prevention strategies must be taken. With reference to being needed exploring the obesity perception, its causes, and impact as well as countermeasures strategies based on the needs of the society itself. The study was intended to explore the society perception regarding obesity, ideal weight, and strategies that the society wanted in overcoming obesity. The study was a qualitative study. It was conducted in March-July 2017. The research subjects (participants) were women 25-50 years old, the leader of the Family Welfare education organization, and health workers (nutritionist) in Denpasar city about 22 people. The data were collected included obesity and weight perception, social determinants, the impact of obesity and opinions on obesity prevention strategies. The data were collected through the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) process in adult women, in-depth interviews with the leader of the Family Welfare education organization, and society leaders. It was analyzed and presented descriptively. The results showed that most of the participants stated obesity was identical to overweight. Obesity was a health problem that has an impact on the onset of chronic diseases e.g., diabetes, therefore, less of confidence self. An ideal weight was proportional become a desire. The most participants perceived themselves as fat and far from ideal. They did not want to be fat, however, the various inhibiting factors, unlike dietary habit, were difficult to change, the availability of fast food that was very easily accessible, work, less of exercise, transportation occurred lack of movement. They generally want a comprehensive program through eating arrangements, exercise regularly, education at improving knowledge, and education at balancing menu processing skills. It was carried out together by involving social groups in the community.