Table 2.

Obesity causes and perceptions towards overweight and thinness

Themes	Younger adults (18–25 years)	Adults (26–35 years)	Middle-aged adults (36–55 years)
Perceived causes of overweight or obesity
Men	Unhealthy diets Proximity of unhealthy food outlets Laziness Over eating Addiction to sugar and sweets Physical inactivity	Careless eating Lack of physical activities Culture Genetics	Laziness Stress Unhealthy diets Over eating Lack of education Unemployment Culture
Women	Over eating Proximity of unhealthy food outlets Self-gratification (to feel happy) Taste of junk foods is good Unsafe neighbourhoods for physical exercise Parental influence Culture	Lack of facilities for physical exercise Eating fatty, sugary foods Junk food is easier to prepare	Stress Unhealthy diets Binge eating ARV medication Genetics Culture
Perceptions towards overweight and thinness
Men	Being overweight is bad as it makes one physically Laziness Being slim is bad, stigmatised as being sick Overweight is culturally acceptable Overweight is associated with wealth and prosperity	Overweight leads to laziness Too much fat can lead to diseases Overweight is culturally acceptable Overweight is associated with happiness Body fat is good for winter season Fat is not bad if inherited	Overweight leads to laziness Overweight is linked to NCDs Overweight is socially acceptable Fat and overweight is good Obesity is bad; leads to disability Overweight is associated with wealth and respect
Women	Overweight is culturally acceptable Overweight denotes beauty and attractive to men Fat brings confidence and positive self-esteem Thin is linked to sickness (e.g. HIV) Thin is linked to low self-esteem	Overweight is not bad Overweight is ‘normal’ Obesity is disabling Overweight is associated with happiness and wealth Obesity is not a problem if inherited Thin people are stigmatised	Fatness means happiness Too much ‘fatness’ can cause sicknesses (NCDs) Overweight is ok if inherited