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

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 pra...

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Main Authors: Rose A. Tshililo, Lizzy M. Netshikweta, Grace T. Tshitangano, Hilda L. Nemathaga
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2016-05-01
Series:African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine
Online Access:https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/952
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author Rose A. Tshililo
Lizzy M. Netshikweta
Grace T. Tshitangano
Hilda L. Nemathaga
author_facet Rose A. Tshililo
Lizzy M. Netshikweta
Grace T. Tshitangano
Hilda L. Nemathaga
author_sort Rose A. Tshililo
collection DOAJ
description 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.
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spelling doaj.art-eb3be20ae88c4d66a99bcc740546d2912022-12-22T01:43:42ZengAOSISAfrican Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine2071-29282071-29362016-05-0182e1e410.4102/phcfm.v8i2.952380Factors influencing weight control practices amongst the adolescent girls in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South AfricaRose A. Tshililo0Lizzy M. Netshikweta1Grace T. Tshitangano2Hilda L. Nemathaga3Department of Advanced Nursing Science, University of VendaDepartment of Advanced Nursing Science, University of VendaDepartment Public Health, University of Venda,Department of Advanced Nursing Science, University of VendaBackground: 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.https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/952
spellingShingle Rose A. Tshililo
Lizzy M. Netshikweta
Grace T. Tshitangano
Hilda L. Nemathaga
Factors influencing weight control practices amongst the adolescent girls in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa
African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine
title Factors influencing weight control practices amongst the adolescent girls in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa
title_full Factors influencing weight control practices amongst the adolescent girls in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa
title_fullStr Factors influencing weight control practices amongst the adolescent girls in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa
title_full_unstemmed Factors influencing weight control practices amongst the adolescent girls in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa
title_short Factors influencing weight control practices amongst the adolescent girls in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa
title_sort factors influencing weight control practices amongst the adolescent girls in vhembe district of limpopo province south africa
url https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/952
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