Strategies and factors influencing weight management in Malaysia

Abstract

This thesis addresses challenges Malaysia faced in weight management. Issues, aims, objectives and thesis layout were explored and explained in chapter one. Chapter two delves on technical details of overweight and obesity; its cause, consequence and measures with past studies and relevant theories critically evaluated. Chapter three explored experiences of 46 selected individuals that previously engaged in weight loss/maintenance and cultural impact as barrier through a semi-structured interview. Although most have good knowledge on obesity, they lack motivation and self-regulatory skills. Challenges included societal norms and peer pressure; with time and commitment were most difficult to overcome. Malays and Indians ethnicities mentioned need of family members to be present at meal times. Family, work or social gatherings required participants to join in and eat together to avoid causing offense. Chapter four explored weight management experiences of 4971 individuals using a survey and model predictors of weight loss success. Majority attempted weight loss at least once, are minimally active, few sought professional help and most wishing for more weight loss success but very few were successful. The first predicting model revealed sex, physical activity level and treatment control as strongest predictor but having 2.3% variance predictability. The second model predictors were physical activity level, treatment control, emotional representations, timeline cyclical, high caloric food score, identity and timeline with a higher variance of 31.7%. Chapter five analysed Body Image Scale’s (BIS) potential as a proxy measure for BMI in a Malaysian population. Individuals presently engaging either on weight loss attempts or maintenance can match their BMI correctly to corresponding image on BIS. Participants with BMI<25.0 tend to overestimate their position on the BIS and vice-versa for those with BMI >25.0. Chapter six concluded in proposing some key ideas for intervention development and use of results in existing programmes the MoH is implementing.