Skip to content
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Menu
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Menu
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
Social valorisation of stoutness as a determinant of obesity in the context of nutritional transition in Cameroon: The Bamiléké case
Social Science and Medicine, Volume 96, Year 2013
Notification
URL copied to clipboard!
Description
Body size perceptions were assessed among members of the Bamiléké, an ethnic group in an urban setting in Cameroon with high rates of obesity, but also a positive perception of stoutness in its social representations. We first implemented a qualitative study (April 2007) to identify local representations of body weight among Bamiléké using semi-structured interviews. We then quantitatively assessed body size perceptions among a representative sample of Bamiléké (May to June 2007), employing a body image assessment scale and a questionnaire that included declarative body weight self-satisfaction, health status, and attempts to reduce weight. Results indicate Desired Body Size (DBS) for women, and particularly for men, was situated in the overweight category. Qualitative analyses show that overweight is considered as a normal and healthy body size in the Bamiléké. On the other hand, the quantitative study reveals that high rates of obesity, especially in women (40.8% obese), are associated with high blood pressure. Moreover, subjects who had a negative perception of their health status wanted to lose weight (p<0.01). Unlike males, females have a DBS lower than their Current Body Size (p<0.001). In addition, subjects (particularly males) who felt they were too lean, were older than those who felt too fat. We therefore conclude that the social valorisation of stoutness exposes Bamiléké, particularly males, to obesity. Although the women stated a desire to lose weight and present aesthetic criteria more oriented towards slimness, the attitude of the Bamiléké remained oriented toward stoutness appreciation. This preference can help protect against body image disturbances identified in Western societies, but may also increase of the incidence of obesity and its associated pathologies in this part of the world. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.
Authors & Co-Authors
Cohen, Emmanuel
Senegal, Dakar
Unité Mixte Internationale Environnement, Santé, Sociétés
France, Paris
Éco-anthropologie
Boëtsch, Gilles
Senegal, Dakar
Unité Mixte Internationale Environnement, Santé, Sociétés
Palstra, Friso P.
France, Paris
Éco-anthropologie
Pasquet, Patrick
France, Paris
Éco-anthropologie
Statistics
Citations: 42
Authors: 4
Affiliations: 2
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.socscimed.2013.07.004
ISSN:
18735347
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Noncommunicable Diseases
Study Design
Cohort Study
Study Approach
Qualitative
Quantitative
Study Locations
Cameroon
Participants Gender
Male
Female