Public beliefs about the consequences of living with obesity in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland
Abstract Background This study aimed to capture public beliefs about living with obesity, examine how these beliefs have changed over time and to explore whether certain characteristics were associated with them in a nationally representative sample of adults from the Republic of Ireland (RoI) and N...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-10-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14280-9 |
| _version_ | 1828141849412370432 |
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| author | Eleni Spyreli L McGowan E Heery A Kelly H Croker C Lawlor R O’Neill CC Kelleher M McCarthy P Wall MM Heinen |
| author_facet | Eleni Spyreli L McGowan E Heery A Kelly H Croker C Lawlor R O’Neill CC Kelleher M McCarthy P Wall MM Heinen |
| author_sort | Eleni Spyreli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background This study aimed to capture public beliefs about living with obesity, examine how these beliefs have changed over time and to explore whether certain characteristics were associated with them in a nationally representative sample of adults from the Republic of Ireland (RoI) and Northern Ireland (NI). Methods A cross-sectional survey employed a random quota sampling approach to recruit a nationally representative sample of 1046 adults across NI and RoI. Telephone interviews captured information on demographics; health behaviours & attitudes; and beliefs about the consequences of obesity (measured using the Obesity Beliefs Scale). Univariable analyses compared beliefs about the consequences of living with obesity between participants with a self-reported healthy weight and those living with overweight or obesity, and non-responders (those for whom weight status could not be ascertained due to missing data). Multiple linear regression examined associations between obesity-related beliefs and socio-demographics, self-rated health and perceived ability to change health behaviours. Multiple linear regression also compared changes in obesity-related beliefs between 2013 and 2020 in the RoI. Results Higher endorsement of the negative outcomes of obesity was significantly associated with living with a healthy weight, higher self-rated health, dietary quality and perceived ability to improve diet and physical activity. Those who lived with overweight, with obesity and non-responders were less likely to endorse the negative consequences of obesity. Those living with obesity and non-responders were also more likely to support there is an increased cost and effort in maintaining a healthy weight. Comparison with survey data from 2013 showed that currently, there is a greater endorsement of the health benefits of maintaining a healthy weight (p < 0001), but also of the increased costs associated with it (p < 0001). Conclusion Beliefs about the consequences of maintaining a healthy body weight are associated with individuals’ weight, self-rated health, diet and perceived ease of adoption of dietary and exercise-related improvements. Beliefs about the health risks of obesity and perceived greater costs associated with maintaining a healthy weight appear to have strengthened over time. Present findings are pertinent to researchers and policy makers involved in the design and framing of interventions to address obesity. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T19:31:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4a3344917b2c4ce6a53166aeb8a2e3ce |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T19:31:44Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-4a3344917b2c4ce6a53166aeb8a2e3ce2022-12-22T04:06:58ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582022-10-0122111210.1186/s12889-022-14280-9Public beliefs about the consequences of living with obesity in the Republic of Ireland and Northern IrelandEleni Spyreli0L McGowan1E Heery2A Kelly3H Croker4C Lawlor5R O’Neill6CC Kelleher7M McCarthy8P Wall9MM Heinen10Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen’s University BelfastCentre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen’s University BelfastLibrary and Research Service, Oireachtas, Houses of the Oireachtas ServiceCentre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen’s University BelfastPopulation, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College LondonNational Nutrition Surveillance Centre, University College DublinCentre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen’s University BelfastNational Nutrition Surveillance Centre, University College DublinCork University Business School, University College CorkNational Nutrition Surveillance Centre, University College DublinNational Nutrition Surveillance Centre, University College DublinAbstract Background This study aimed to capture public beliefs about living with obesity, examine how these beliefs have changed over time and to explore whether certain characteristics were associated with them in a nationally representative sample of adults from the Republic of Ireland (RoI) and Northern Ireland (NI). Methods A cross-sectional survey employed a random quota sampling approach to recruit a nationally representative sample of 1046 adults across NI and RoI. Telephone interviews captured information on demographics; health behaviours & attitudes; and beliefs about the consequences of obesity (measured using the Obesity Beliefs Scale). Univariable analyses compared beliefs about the consequences of living with obesity between participants with a self-reported healthy weight and those living with overweight or obesity, and non-responders (those for whom weight status could not be ascertained due to missing data). Multiple linear regression examined associations between obesity-related beliefs and socio-demographics, self-rated health and perceived ability to change health behaviours. Multiple linear regression also compared changes in obesity-related beliefs between 2013 and 2020 in the RoI. Results Higher endorsement of the negative outcomes of obesity was significantly associated with living with a healthy weight, higher self-rated health, dietary quality and perceived ability to improve diet and physical activity. Those who lived with overweight, with obesity and non-responders were less likely to endorse the negative consequences of obesity. Those living with obesity and non-responders were also more likely to support there is an increased cost and effort in maintaining a healthy weight. Comparison with survey data from 2013 showed that currently, there is a greater endorsement of the health benefits of maintaining a healthy weight (p < 0001), but also of the increased costs associated with it (p < 0001). Conclusion Beliefs about the consequences of maintaining a healthy body weight are associated with individuals’ weight, self-rated health, diet and perceived ease of adoption of dietary and exercise-related improvements. Beliefs about the health risks of obesity and perceived greater costs associated with maintaining a healthy weight appear to have strengthened over time. Present findings are pertinent to researchers and policy makers involved in the design and framing of interventions to address obesity.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14280-9Living with overweight and obesityObesity beliefsIsland of Ireland |
| spellingShingle | Eleni Spyreli L McGowan E Heery A Kelly H Croker C Lawlor R O’Neill CC Kelleher M McCarthy P Wall MM Heinen Public beliefs about the consequences of living with obesity in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland BMC Public Health Living with overweight and obesity Obesity beliefs Island of Ireland |
| title | Public beliefs about the consequences of living with obesity in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland |
| title_full | Public beliefs about the consequences of living with obesity in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland |
| title_fullStr | Public beliefs about the consequences of living with obesity in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland |
| title_full_unstemmed | Public beliefs about the consequences of living with obesity in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland |
| title_short | Public beliefs about the consequences of living with obesity in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland |
| title_sort | public beliefs about the consequences of living with obesity in the republic of ireland and northern ireland |
| topic | Living with overweight and obesity Obesity beliefs Island of Ireland |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14280-9 |
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