BACKGROUND: A qualitative study providing an in-depth exploration of people's view and the increasing burden of overweight and obesity is required. This study aimed to explore the understanding of dieting and previous experiences on weight loss attempts among overweight and obese government employees in Kelantan, Malaysia, prior to recruitment into the intervention program. METHODS: Thirteen focus group discussions involving 129 participants from a weight-loss intervention program were conducted within the first 1 month of recruitment. These discussions were moderated by two trained researchers in the Malay language and assisted by an interview guide. They were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis was performed, and codes and themes from each discussion were constructed. RESULTS: The participants understood dieting with various meanings, including skipping meals and removing rice from daily diets. They applied numerous methods to lose weight and achieved various outcomes. Health and appearance, social support, and compliance with current trends were the factors motivating these participants to lose weight. Their determination to lose weight was limited by lack of self-control and motivation, experiences of unpleasant effects, influence on weight, and environmental and health factors. CONCLUSION: Real-life weight loss experiences and perceptions provided relevant insights into current weight loss management strategies. Some of these issues and misunderstandings should be emphasized in weight loss strategies during health promotion.
Compliance ; Diet ; Focus Groups ; Health Promotion ; Malaysia ; Meals ; Motivation ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Qualitative Research ; Self-Control ; Weight Loss

Introduction: The industrial park in the district of Parit Raja, Batu Pahat resulted in rapid growth of the town during the last 20 years and has been a reason of concern that this park also has contributed greatly to the problem of air pollution. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between industrial air pollution and respiratory symptoms in adults living in the Parit Raja. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was undertaken among residents in the district of Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia. A total of 110 residents aged between 19 and 65 years were randomly selected and information on personal characteristics and respiratory symptoms was obtained through a validated questionnaire. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was compared between residents recruited from the areas situated about 5km radius of the industrial park (exposed) and >5km radius from the industrial park (comparative). Results: A total of 34.5% and 25.5% of adults from the exposed group reported experiencing coughing for the last 3 months and chest tightness for the last 3 years. The logistic regression models showed that symptoms of coughing was associated with the exposed group (aOR=6.34, 95% CI=2.08-19.35), male respondents (aOR=3.18, 95% CI=1.10-9.16) and who stay in Part Raja for more than 14 years (aOR=3.16, 95% CI=1.14-8.79). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that long-term air pollution exposures are consistently associated with respiratory symptoms in residents living in the proximity of industrial parks. Therefore, public health initiatives that aim to provide more conducive environment are needed, especially for residents living near industrial parks.