Elucidating knowledge and beliefs about obesity and eating disorders among key stakeholders: paving the way for an integrated approach to health promotion

Bianca Bullivant,Bryan Rodgers,Clare Stephens,Rebecca E Olson,Jonathan M Mond,Janet D Latner,Deborah Mitchison,Richard J Stevenson,Timothy Gill,Phillipa Hay,Sarah Maguire,Stephen Touyz,Aaron R Denham

doi:10.1186/s12889-019-7971-y

Abstract

BackgroundUnderstanding the knowledge and beliefs of key stakeholders is crucial in developing effective public health interventions. Knowledge and beliefs about obesity and eating disorders (EDs) have rarely been considered, despite increasing awareness of the need for integrated health promotion programs. We investigated key aspects of knowledge and beliefs about obesity and EDs among key stakeholders in Australia.MethodsUsing a semi-structured question guide, eight focus groups and seven individual interviews were conducted with 62 participants including health professionals, personal trainers, teachers and consumer group representatives. An inductive thematic approach was used for data analysis.ResultsThe findings suggest that, relative to obesity, EDs are poorly understood among teachers, personal trainers, and certain health professionals. Areas of commonality and distinction between the two conditions were identified. Integrated health promotion efforts that focus on shared risk (e.g., low self-esteem, body dissatisfaction) and protective (e.g., healthy eating, regular exercise) factors were supported. Suggested target groups for such efforts included young children, adolescents and parents.ConclusionsThe findings indicate areas where the EDs and obesity fields have common ground and can work together in developing integrated health promotion programs.

Highlights

Understanding the knowledge and beliefs of key stakeholders is crucial in developing effective public health interventions
We address findings relating to the following themes: (a) awareness and understanding of obesity and Eating disorder (ED); (b) beliefs about the links between obesity and EDs; (c) attitudes towards integrated obesity and ED health promotion; and (d) beliefs about target groups in such programs
Awareness and understanding of obesity and EDs Discussions began by asking participants how they defined the terms ‘obesity’ and ‘EDs’

Summary

Introduction

Understanding the knowledge and beliefs of key stakeholders is crucial in developing effective public health interventions. Overweight and obesity are defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to an individuals’ health [7]. They are typically measured using the Body Mass Index (BMI), a population-level measure of weight relative to height. But not always, associated with physical health impairment, the degree of this impairment being related to Bullivant et al BMC Public Health (2019) 19:1681 the degree of overweight [2, 5] It is not classified as a psychiatric disorder [8] and is typically not associated with mental health impairment in the absence of mediating factors, such as body dissatisfaction and physical health impairment [9, 10]

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