Aspek psikososial dalam kalangan golongan obes: kajian kes di Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Setar, Kedah

Obesity has been identified as a serious public health problem across the world including in developed and developing countries. Malaysia has been listed as the country with highest number of obese within South-East Asia and sixth in the Asia-
Pacific Region. Obesity burdens the health care system, liable to economic resources, and affect the psychosocial aspect of human being. This qualitative study aims to explore the views of obese people in terms of psychosocial aspect focusing on their personal experiences. Seven females and three males aged 26 to 45 years with Body Mass Index (BMI) of ≥ 35 were purposely sampled from a population-based Klinik Diet
at Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Setar, Kedah. The interviews were transcribed and thematically analysed. The analysis indicated five themes for the psychosocial aspects, namely stigma and discrimination, factors of obesity, experience of losing weight, limited well-being and emotional burden. The findings also found that subjects in the study had negative life experiences in all aspects because of obesity. This study contributes to the literature on life experiences aspects due to obesity. The study also implies the need to include obese psychosocial aspects in the field of social work, especially when social workers plan interventions for this group.