Factors associated with obesity in South African mothers and their pre-adolescent daughters : a cross-cultural validation and comparison study

• Main Author: Mchiza, Zandile June-Rose
• Other Authors: Lambert, Estelle Victoria
• Format: Doctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2014
• Subjects: Human Biology
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/3266

Includes abstract. === Includes bibliographical references (p. 203-244). === The aetiology of obesity is complex, and in addition to intrinsic factors such as the biology of individuals (presented as genetics, age, gender) that contribute to the high obesity epidemic, there are behavioural determinants, along with economic, socio-cultural and environmental factors which are largely extrinsic, that either directly or indirectly influence the development of obesity, therefore are called “obesogenic” (Swinburn et al., 2005; Egger and Swinburn, 1997). In South Africa, these “obesogenic” factors have been only partially explored, and as such, there are gaps in our knowledge. We are also not certain of the extent to which the language, culture and age influence these afore-mentioned factors. As such, this dissertation focused on finding and adapting culturallysensitive and age-appropriate instruments to better understand these obesogenic factors in South African women and girls.