Elucidating knowledge and beliefs about obesity and eating disorders among key stakeholders: paving the way for an integrated approach to health promotion

• Published in: BMC public health 2019-12, Vol.19 (1), p.1681-1681, Article 1681
• Main Authors: Bullivant, Bianca, Denham, Aaron R, Stephens, Clare, Olson, Rebecca E, Mitchison, Deborah, Gill, Timothy, Maguire, Sarah, Latner, Janet D, Hay, Phillipa, Rodgers, Bryan, Stevenson, Richard J, Touyz, Stephen, Mond, Jonathan M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescents; Adult; Analysis; Anorexia nervosa; Australia; Body mass index; Children; Collaboration; Commonality; Consumer groups; Data analysis; Diet; Dietitians; Disorders; Eating disorders; Exercise; Feeding and Eating Disorders - prevention & control; Female; Focus Groups; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health promotion; Health Promotion - organization & administration; Humans; Information management; Integrated approach; Integration; Knowledge; Male; Medical personnel; Mental disorders; Mental health; Middle Aged; Obesity; Obesity - prevention & control; Personal trainers; Physical fitness; Prevention; Professionals; Psychologists; Public health; Public health movements; Researchers; Risk sharing; Self esteem; Self image; Stakeholder Participation - psychology; Stakeholders; Teachers; Young Adult; Youth
• ISSN: 1471-2458; 1471-2458
• DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7971-y

Understanding the knowledge and beliefs of key stakeholders is crucial in developing effective public health interventions. Knowledge and beliefs about obesity and eating disorders (EDs) have rarely been considered, despite increasing awareness of the need for integrated health promotion programs. We investigated key aspects of knowledge and beliefs about obesity and EDs among key stakeholders in Australia. Using a semi-structured question guide, eight focus groups and seven individual interviews were conducted with 62 participants including health professionals, personal trainers, teachers and consumer group representatives. An inductive thematic approach was used for data analysis. The findings suggest that, relative to obesity, EDs are poorly understood among teachers, personal trainers, and certain health professionals. Areas of commonality and distinction between the two conditions were identified. Integrated health promotion efforts that focus on shared risk (e.g., low self-esteem, body dissatisfaction) and protective (e.g., healthy eating, regular exercise) factors were supported. Suggested target groups for such efforts included young children, adolescents and parents. The findings indicate areas where the EDs and obesity fields have common ground and can work together in developing integrated health promotion programs.