Perceived benefits, perceived barriers and self-efficacy towards weight reduction among overweight and obese children in Kedah, Malaysia

The objective of this study was to identify the psychological factors (perceived barriers to, perceived benefits of, and perceived self-efficacy toward weight reduction) associated with body mass index (BMI) among overweight (OW) and obese children. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among primary school children in Kedah, Malaysia. A multistage randomised cluster sampling technique was used in this study. The socio-demographic data were collected from the parents, and the researchers took anthropometric measurements of the children. A set of validated instruments were used to assess perceived benefits of weight reduction, perceived barriers to weight reduction, perceived self-efficacy in dietary practice and perceived self-efficacy in exercise among the participants. Data were analysed by using SPSS software for Windows Version 25.0. A total of 398 OW and obese children aged 10 and 11 years old (221 boys and 177 girls) were recruited. Based on the socio-demographic data, the father’s educational level was found to be significantly associated with the child’s body mass index (BMI) (2 = 7.873, p = 0.049). There were no significant differences in mean scores for perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and perceived self-efficacy in dietary practice and exercise between the OW and obese groups (p>0.05). However, perceived self-efficacy in exercise was significantly associated with BMI among OW and obese children (p<0.05). Health perceptions and beliefs variables are important and should be included in any future weight management programme among OW and obese children.

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