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Sri Lanka is seeing a rise in the obesity epidemic. Middle class females living in urban areas are one of the affected groups. To explore the beliefs and expectations regarding bodyweight of middle class females attending an urban primary healthcare centre in Sri Lanka.

Baseline data from an intervention study was used for this analysis. Fifty participants were selected randomly from obese females (BMI between 27.5 -40 kg/iVi2) registered with the University Family Medicine Clinic in Ragama and volunteered to participate in a lifestyle modification programme for weight reduction. Their demographic data.and baseline anthropometric measurements were obtained and a focus group discussion conducted on perceptions regarding obesity.

Participants were aged 21 -58 years, majority were married housewives with 2 or more children, Weights ranged from 55-92.9 kg, BMIs 27.6-39.7 kg/m2 and waist circumference 90-112 cm. On average the participants wished to lose 11 kg (ranging from 2-30 kg) over a 6 month period. Focus group discussion revealed that participants accepted the norm of putting on weight after childbirth and as part of aging. Knowledge regarding food values was poor and myths regarding diet and exercise were identified.

Unrealistically high targets for weight loss were common among participants. Putting on weight after childbirth with aging was perceived as the norm. Many mistakenly perceived that they had put on weight in spite of sensible eating and adequate levels of physical activity.