Factors influencing weight control practices amongst the adolescent girls in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa

• Main Authors: Rose A. Tshililo (Author), Lizzy M. Netshikweta (Author), Grace T. Tshitangano (Author), Hilda L. Nemathaga (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: AOSIS, 2016-05-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Background: The incidence of overweight is increasing amongst adolescents in many countries around the world. Healthy and unhealthy weight control practices are common amongst overweight and non-overweight adolescents. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore factors influencing weight control practices amongst adolescent girls. Setting: The study was conducted at selected secondary schools of Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Methods: A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was used. Nonprobability, purposive sampling was used to select adolescents who are practicing weight control. In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 participants. Data were analysed according to Tesch's open-coding method. Results: This study revealed that adolescent girls are influenced by a variety of factors to control their weights. These included individual factors, such as body image dissatisfaction; family factors, caused by parental criticism about adolescent weight; and environmental factors, which contain peer group endorsement of dieting. Conclusion: Adolescents are exposed to many unhealthy weight control practices, as a way of controlling excess weight. So it is of importance for healthcare providers to make them aware of healthy practices.

Item Description

2071-2928
2071-2936
10.4102/phcfm.v8i2.952