“I DID NOT CHOOSE TO BE OBESE OR OVERWEIGHT”- EXPERIENCES OF STIGMA AMONG MARKET WOMEN IN KANESHIE, GHANA

Abstract Abstract Introduction: Excess body fat is associated with impaired physical and socio-emotional health outcomes. There is limited evidence on stigma and discrimination linked with overweight and obesity in developing country settings where rate of overweight is rapidly increasing. The current study explored the experiences of obesity related stigma and discrimination among adult female vendors in the Kaneshie Market in Accra, Ghana. Method: A mixed concurrent methods was employed, with both qualitative and quantitative data being collected and analysed. The quantitative study was a cross-sectional design, with the qualitative being a phenomenology study. Questionnaires and in-depth interview guides were used to collect data from adult female vendors working at the Kaneshie market. Questionnaires were administered to 266 women sampled systematically to represent vendors in the market and10 in-depth interviews with purposively sampled vendors. The questionnaire was designed to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics and body mass index (BMI) of respondents, whilst the interview guide was designed to elicit information on perceptions and lived experiences of stigma and discrimination linked to weight status. Frequencies were used to describe socio-demographic characteristics of survey respondents. Additionally, the associations between the BMI and socio-demographic characteristics of vendors was also determined using Pearson Chi-Square test and multiple ordered logistic regression test of association. All in-depth interviews were audio-taped, transcribed with thematic analysis used to generate themes describing stigma and discrimination among female vendors at the market. Results: About half (56%) of the survey respondents were obese. However, most of them misperceived their weight. Obesity was perceived as the result of excessive eating and physically inactive lifestyle. Obese and overweight women reported that they feel blamed for their weight status. Derogatory name calling, limitations to use of public spaces, and denial of opportunities were stigmatizing attitudes experienced by obese and overweight persons. Conclusion: Obese and overweight persons are perceived to be personally responsible for their weight status, and thus subjected to stigma and discrimination. There is a need for awareness among general public as part of strategy to address stigmatizing and discriminatory attitudes towards obese/overweight persons.