Kontakt 2016, 18(3):e170-e178 | DOI: 10.1016/j.kontakt.2016.07.006

Background and strategy draft of the preventive influences on the Roma minority for reducing obesity and overweight in the South Bohemian RegionSocial Sciences in Health - Original article

Radka Prokešová^a,*, Valérie Tóthová^b, Věra Olišarová^b, Lenka Šedová^b, Dita Nováková^b, František Dolák^b, Alena Kajanová^c, Sylva Bártlová^b, Věra Adámková^d, Katalina Papp^e

^a Jihočeská univerzita v Českých Budějovicích, Zdravotně sociální fakulta, Ústav humanitních studií v pomáhajících profesích, České Budějovice, Česká republika

^b Jihočeská univerzita v Českých Budějovicích, Zdravotně sociální fakulta, Ústav ošetřovatelství, porodní asistence a neodkladné péče, České Budějovice, Česká republika

^c Jihočeská univerzita v Českých Budějovicích, Zdravotně sociální fakulta, Ústav sociálních a speciálněpedagogických věd, České Budějovice, Česká republika

^d Institut klinické a experimentální medicíny, Praha, Česká republika

^e University of Debrecen, Faculty of Health, Nyíregyháza, Hungary

The aim of this paper is to define strategic resources and strategy design of preventive measures for the Roma minority in the South Bohemian Region to reduce obesity and overweight. Quantitative research was conducted via a controlled semi-structured interview concerning the eating behaviour of the respondents, their mental state, stress, self-reflection, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, socioeconomic condition, primary prevention and the approach of medical professionals. The research sample included 600 respondents (302 from the Roma minority and 298 from the majority population). The sample of the Roma minority and the majority population can be considered representative in terms of gender. There were statistically significant differences between the respondents from the minority and the majority population. The lifestyle of the Roma minority can cause obesity and overweight, and consequently influence the health of individuals. These are differences in eating behaviour, including the composition of diet, physical activity, smoking, or the money spent on food for an adult family member per month. The results obtained in this representative research survey within the SWOT analysis, which represents the weaknesses of the life style of the Roma minority, laid the foundations of a strategy for preventive measures for the Roma minority, which aims to reduce the risk factors affecting obesity and overweight in the Roma minority living in the South Bohemian Region.

Keywords: Strategy; Obesity and overweight; Roma minority; Health condition; South Bohemian Region

Received: January 8, 2016; Revised: May 27, 2016; Accepted: July 29, 2016; Published: September 30, 2016  Show citation