The health perspectives of overweight Iranian women: a focus group approach

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dc.contributor.authorMajidy, Maryamen
dc.contributor.committeechairPrehm, Marilyn S.en
dc.contributor.committeememberSouthard, Douglas R.en
dc.contributor.committeememberLambur, Michael T.en
dc.contributor.departmentHuman Nutrition and Foodsen
dc.date.accessioned2014-03-14T21:48:43Zen
dc.date.adate2008-11-01en
dc.date.available2014-03-14T21:48:43Zen
dc.date.issued1996en
dc.date.rdate2008-11-01en
dc.date.sdate2008-11-01en
dc.description.abstractThe purpose of this study was to describe health definitions, strategies, attitudes, benefits, barriers, and suggested solutions to weight loss fromĀ· the perspective of overweight Iranian women. Of interest also was to get women's feedback on the value of focus group techniques in gathering information from this group. Participants were 18 Iranian women between the ages of 21-49 years old, who lived in the urban area of Tehran, having a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or greater. Considerations of health for the participants included, physical appearance, feelings about life, and healthy habits. Health was related to specific experiences in life which were either due to external situations or internal forces. The results displayed the influence of the daily life activities which are culturally and religiously defined. In relation to weight control practices, diet and exercise were prevalent, showing an interest in short term weight loss strategies. The importance of family and friends as positive influences to weight loss were expressed. Improving physical appearance, seen as a benefit of attaining weight loss was a recurring theme that came up in different contexts. This seems to differ from what the society tries to promote when minimizing the value of physical appearance. Other religious beliefs were strongly voiced in women's emphasis on having a strong "will power" and self-discipline as requirements to lose weight. Women overall were positive about the use of focus group discussions. These insights into women's health perceptions and attitudes toward weight loss appear to be useful when nutritionists address health and weight related issues.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.format.extentvii, 74 leavesen
dc.format.mediumBTDen
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.otheretd-11012008-063520en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-11012008-063520/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/45413en
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.relation.haspartLD5655.V855_1996.M354.pdfen
dc.relation.isformatofOCLC# 35312704en
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectfocus groupen
dc.subjectIranian womenen
dc.subjectoverweighten
dc.subjecthealth perspectivesen
dc.subject.lccLD5655.V855 1996.M354en
dc.titleThe health perspectives of overweight Iranian women: a focus group approachen
dc.typeThesisen
dc.type.dcmitypeTexten
thesis.degree.disciplineHuman Nutrition and Foodsen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

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