Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Hedy Dexter

Abstract

The rise in childhood obesity rates continues globally despite the design and implementation of social programs aimed at curtailing that phenomenon. The government of Jamaica has indicated that a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach is needed to control obesity. The literature has shown that in Jamaica, support for being fluffy impedes progress toward addressing the problem of childhood obesity; being fluffy is considered attractive and a sign that one has a good life. Studies have shown that obese or overweight children are at risk for developing psychosocial (e.g., having low self-esteem, and underperforming academically) and medical problems (e.g., noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes). Studies have shown, further, that parental support for school-based health initiatives is needed to address this problem. Informed by the theory of planned behavior, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore parents’ support for school-based programs aimed at curtailing childhood obesity. Online face-to-face interviews were conducted via Zoom with 10 parents of overweight or obese children. Six themes emerged, including parental responsibilities, the business of schools, societal impact, the fluffy culture, family members’ role, and control issues, reflecting parents’ willingness to accept responsibility and a willingness to support school-based programs aimed at controlling childhood obesity. The increased awareness of parents’ attitudes toward school-based health programs and their belief that the fluffy phenomenon is not an urgent problem can be used to develop government-implemented health-education policies to educate parents. To effect positive social change, these programs can be implemented in schools and homes.

Download

Share

 
COinS