14 research outputs found
Perceptions of body size, obesity threat and the willingness to lose weight among black South African adults: a qualitative study
BACKGROUND: The obesity epidemic is associated with rising rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among adults,
particularly in countries undergoing rapid urbanisation and nutrition transition. This study explored the perceptions
of body size, obesity risk awareness, and the willingness to lose weight among adults in a resource-limited urban
community to inform appropriate community-based interventions for the prevention of obesity.
METHOD: This is a descriptive qualitative study. Semi-structured focus group discussions were conducted with
purposively selected black men and women aged 35–70 years living in an urban South African township. Weight
and height measurements were taken, and the participants were classified into optimal weight, overweight and
obese groups based on their body mass index (Kg/m2). Participants were asked to discuss on perceived obesity
threat and risk of cardiovascular disease. Information on body image perceptions and the willingness to lose excess
body weight were also discussed. Discussions were conducted in the local language (isiXhosa), transcribed and
translated into English. Data was analysed using the thematic analysis approach.
RESULTS: Participants generally believed that obesity could lead to health conditions such as heart attack, stroke,
diabetes, and hypertension. However, severity of obesity was perceived differently in the groups. Men in all groups
and women in the obese and optimal weight groups perceived obesity to be a serious threat to their health,
whereas the overweight women did not. Obese participants who had experienced chronic disease conditions
indicated strong perceptions of risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease. Obese participants, particularly men,
expressed willingness to lose weight, compared to the men and women who were overweight. The belief that
overweight is ‘normal’ and not a disease, subjective norms, and inaccessibility to physical activity facilities,
negatively influenced participants’ readiness to lose weight.
CONCLUSION: Low perception of threat of obesity to health particularly among overweight women in this
community indicates a considerable challenge to obesity control. Community health education and promotion
programmes that increase awareness about the risk associated with overweight, and improve the motivation for
physical activity and maintenance of optimal body weight are needed.IS
Development and Validation of Fidelity Monitoring and Enhancement in an Evidence-Based Parenting Program
Predictive Value of Parent-Professional Alliance for Outcomes of Home-Based Parenting Support
Treatment fidelity during therapist initial training is related to subsequent effectiveness of Parent Management Training-Oregon model
Is There a Scale-up Penalty? Testing Behavioral Change in the Scaling up of Parent Management Training in Norway
Effects of an Interactive School-Based Program for Preventing Adolescent Sexual Harassment: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Evaluation Study
Treatment Fidelity during Therapist Initial Training is related to Subsequent Effectiveness of Parent Management Training—Oregon Model
An Experimental Study of Procedures to Enhance Ratings of Fidelity to an Evidence-Based Family Intervention
Earthquake exposures and mental health outcomes in children and adolescents from Phulpingdanda village, Nepal: a cross-sectional study
Supervisory alliance: Key to positive alliances and outcomes in home-based parenting support?
Objectives: This study investigated whether the supervisory alliance between professionals and supervisors contributes to strong client-professional alliances and positive outcomes of home-based parenting support provided by youth care organizations. Methods: Multi-informant self-report supervisory alliance, alliance, and outcome data from 124 parents (M age = 39.83 years, SD = 6.98), professionals (n = 84, M age = 43.66 years, SD = 10.46), and supervisors (n = 26, M age = 47.18 years, SD = 8.28) collected early and late in care were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results: A stronger professional-reported supervisory alliance was related to a stronger professional-reported alliance early in care (beta = 0.27, p < 0.01), and predicted higher levels of parent-reported satisfaction with care (beta = 0.19, p < .05; beta = 0.25, p < 0.01), and professional-reported satisfaction with care (beta = 0.21, p < 0.01). A stronger supervisory alliance reported by supervisors predicted parent-reported improvement in parent functioning (beta = 0.26, p < 0.05), and higher levels of professional-reported satisfaction with care (beta = 0.19, p < 0.05; beta = .14, p < 0.05). Finally, effects of professional-reported supervisory alliance on professional-reported satisfaction with care were mediated through higher levels of professional-reported alliance (beta = 0.06, p < 0.05; beta = .07, p < 0.05). Conclusions: A strong supervisory alliance may relate to strong alliances and positive outcomes of home-based parenting support. Future research needs to identify factors that contribute to strong supervisory alliances and explain linkages between the supervisory alliance, the alliance, and outcomes