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Objective To develop an in-depth picture of both lived experience of obesity and the impact of socio-cultural factors on people living with obesity. Design Qualitative methodology, utilizing in-depth semi-structured interviews with a community sample of obese adults (body mass index ≥30). Community sampling methods were supplemented with purposive sampling techniques to ensure a diverse range of individuals were included. Results Seventy-six individuals (aged 16–72) were interviewed. Most had struggled with their weight for most of their lives ( n = 45). Almost all had experienced stigma and discrimination in childhood ( n = 36), as adolescents ( n = 41) or as adults ( n = 72). About half stated that they had been humiliated by health professionals because of their weight. Participants felt an individual responsibility to lose weight, and many tried extreme forms of dieting to do so. Participants described an increasing culture of ‘blame’ against people living with obesity perpetuated by media and public health messages. Eighty percent said that they hated or disliked the word obesity and would rather be called fat or overweight. Discussion and Conclusion There are four key conclusions: (i) the experiences of obesity are diverse, but there are common themes, (ii) people living with obesity have heard the messages but find it difficult to act upon them, (iii) interventions should be tailored to address both individual and community needs and (iv) we need to rethink how to approach obesity interventions to ensure that avoid recapitulating damaging social stereotypes and exacerbating social inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Migrants from developing to developed countries rapidly develop more obesity than the host population. While the effects of socio-economic status on obesity are well established, the influence of cultural factors, including acculturation, is not known.Objective:To examine the association between acculturation and obesity and its risk factors among African migrant children in Australia.Design and participants:A cross-sectional study using a non-probability sample of 3- to 12-year-old sub-Saharan African migrant children. A bidimensional model of strength of affiliation with African and Australian cultures was used to divide the sample into four cultural orientations: traditional (African), assimilated (Australian), integrated (both) and marginalized (neither).Main outcome measures:Body mass index (BMI), leisure-time physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviours (SBs) and energy density of food.Results:In all, 18.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 14–23%) were overweight and 8.6% (95% CI: 6–12%) were obese. After adjustment for confounders, integrated (β=1.1; P<0.05) and marginalized (β=1.4; P<0.01) children had higher BMI than traditional children. However, integrated children had significantly higher time engaged in both PA (β=46.9, P<0.01) and SBs (β=43.0, P<0.05) than their traditional counterparts. In comparison with traditional children, assimilated children were more sedentary (β=57.5, P<0.01) while marginalization was associated with increased consumption of energy-dense foods (β=42.0, P<0.05).Conclusions:Maintenance of traditional orientation was associated with lower rates of obesity and SBs. Health promotion programs and frameworks need to be rooted in traditional values and habits to maintain and reinforce traditional dietary and PA habits, as well as identify the marginalized clusters and address their needs.International Journal of Obesity (2008) 32, 594–600; doi:10.1038/ijo.2008.2; published online 5 February 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]