Empirical Claim Critique
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ARTICLE3.pdf
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Body image and the use of legal and illegal weight gain drugs by
Sudanese university girl students Ahmed Abdel Magied,
Ahmed Al Gamal,
Nyalou Akol
Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the use of legal and illegal weight
gain drugs and preparations and their impact on Sudanese female
university students.
A cross sectional study was conducted on fifty (50) volunteers university
female students within the age group 19-25 years and who accepted to
participate in the study. The collected data from the respondents were by a questionnaire and
interview and from the ambiguous drug dealers by interview. The
collected data were manually analysed and the results were presented in
tables of frequency and percentage.
The overwhelming majority (90%) of weight gain drugs and preparations were obtained by the respondents from illegal ambiguous prescribing
dealers.
The majority (60%) of the respondents used three tablets per day, 14%
twice per day either syrup or cream and 12% once per day and for more
combinations for 12% once per day. This explains the fast appearance of
side effects (increase in weight around the hips and buttocks). Accordingly, the longer they used the drugs and preparations the greater
the appearance of fat storage.
The reasons for gain in size of the rumps and buttocks, for the majority
(58%) for the body to be attractive and/or sexy, 18% for being skinny and
for 24% for other reasons such as traditions, advise of neighbors,
propaganda by social media as well as gender differences and how individuals perceive, judge and feel about their self-esteem.
Accordingly, it was recommended that Sudan Ministry of Health should
enact deterrent laws prohibiting ambiguous traders from marketing legal
and illegal weight gain drugs and preparations.
Keywords: Body image, female university students, weight gain drugs
and preparations, dealers of weight gain drugs and preparations.
تسخلص امل اسخلدام األدوية القانونية وغري القانونية لزايدة الوزن من قبل طالبات جامعات سودانيات
أمحد عبد اجمليد أمحد اجلمل نيالو أكول
يف اسخلدام العقاقري واملتسخحضرات القانونية وغري القانونية لزايدة الوزن وأتثريها عصى الطالبات لصخحققهذه الدراسة هتدف يات التسودانيات.اجلامع
عاًما وقبصوا املشاركة يف الدراسة ۲٥-۱۹( مخطوًعا ضمن الفئة العمرية ٥۰أجريت دراسة مقطعية عصى مختسني ) كانت البياانت اليت مت مجعها من املشاركني من خالل اسخبيان ومقابصة ومن جتار امللدرات غامضة عن طريق املقابصة. مت حتصيل
واي وعرضت النخائج يف جداول الرتدد والنتسبة املئويةالبياانت اليت مت مجعها يد
Body image and the use of legal and illegal weight gain drugs by Sudanese university girl students
Abdel Magied, Ahmed et al.
36
( من األدوية وزايدة الوزن من قبل اجمليبني من جتار وصف غامض غري قانوين٪ ۹۰مت احلصول عصى الغالبية العظمى ) حدة يومًيا مرة وا ٪۱۲مرتني يومًيا إما شراب أو كرمية و ٪۱٤( املتسخطصعني اسخلدموا ثالثة أقراص يومًيا ، ٪٦۰غالبية )
مرة واحدة يومًيا. هذا ما يفتسر املظهر التسريع لآلاثر اجلانبية )زايدة يف الوزن حول الوركني ٪۱۲وملزيد من اجملموعات ملدة واألرداف(. تبعا لذلك ، كصما زاد اسخلدامهم لألدوية واملتسخحضرات كصما زاد مظهر ختزين الدهون
لكوهنا حنيفة ٪۱۸( لصجتسم لخكون جذابة و / أو مثرية ، ٪۸٥بة لألغصبية )أسباب زايدة حجم الصدوع واألرداف ، ابلنتس ق بني ألسباب أخرى مثل الخقاليد ، تقدمي املشورة لصجريان ، دعاية من قبل وسائل اإلعالم االجخماعية وكذلك الفرو ٪۲۸و
، وحيكمون ويشعرون بخقديرهم لذاهتماجلنتسني وكيف ينظر األفراد لخوصية بضرورة أن تتسن وزارة الصحة التسودانية متسخوايت منلفضة من الردع متنع املخداولني الغامضني من ، متت اوفًقا لذلك
.تتسويق العقاقري واملتسخحضرات القانونية وغري القانونية لزايدة الوزن
تغري ات جتار أدوية ومستحضر ،عقاقري زايدة الوزن ومستحضراهتا ،طالبات اجلامعة ،صورة اجلسم :الكصمات الدالة .اجلسد شكل
Introduction
Shaping a person’s perception of her/his ideal body image and how they
feel about their own body, the soci-cultural context is a major
determinant (Tai Soon 2013). Accordingly, there is variation in what is
considered to be an ideal or beautiful body image by different people and by different cultural and ethnic groups throughout the world. For
example obesity and overweight which are health risks, are considered in
some cultures as signs of wealth or prestige (Tai Soon 2013). Contrary to
the case in modern western societies, in many African societies the
dominant social perception of female physical attraction is an increase in
body weight (Benkesser, et al. 2012). Skin lightening products are used by black communities in South Africa and worldwide. This practice has
deep historical and cultural roots (Dlova et al. 2014). However, in the
Sudan in recent generations of girls the use of bleaching cosmetics, in
particular by dark-skinned girls, is becoming a serious hazardous
practice that may cause adverse health effects on the skin and further more (Yousif et al. 2014). Not only is this, but also at present use of the
weight gain drugs in Sudan is becoming some sort of a fashion among
adolescents and adult women. The main claim for the practice is for male
attraction and to look sexy. Achieving weight gain by some is through the
intake of pharmaceutical drugs which are purchased from pharmacies,
but mainly from the black market sold by ambiguous traders.
Purchased pharmaceutical drugs by Sudanese girls and women with
weight gain and side effects include:
1. Folate: Generic name “Folic Acid”, brand name is “Folacin-800”.
The Arabic name used in the black market is “Doshka”. 2. Indomethacin (oral capsules): Generic names are:
“Indomethacin”, “Indocin SR, “Tiuorex”. The name used in the black
market is “Altageel Warra” which in Arabic refers to weight gain in the
buttocks.
3. Cyproheptadine (oral tablets): Generic name is HCL 4mg, brand
name is the generic name. The name used in the black market is “Alsafga” which means “leaf” in Arabic.
The Ahfad Journal vol. 36, no. 2, December 2019, pp. 35-42
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4. Dexamethasone (oral tablets): Brand names: Dexamethasone, Dexamethasone Intensol. Black market name: “Althawra be Alnus”, in
Arabic the name of a main street in one of the residential areas in
Omdurman city, Sudan.
5. In addition to those four pharmaceutical drugs, there are other
used preparations that are smuggled to Sudan and not endorsed by
Sudan Ministry of Health. Hence considered illegal drugs that are sold by ambiguous, Sudanese traders. Three preparations are available in the
black market and all are used for weight gain, mainly around the hips
and buttocks. These preparations include:
(i) “Dr.James Hip-Up and Buttock Gel”. This preparation is
produced by Impex Trading Co, Mayuri Nagar, Hyderabad, Talangana
and marketed on line by “www.indimart.com”. (ii) “Dr.James Hip-Up and Stretch Mark capsules”, also produced by
Impex Trading Co, Mayuri Nagar, Hyderabad and marketed on line by
“susan channel.com”.
(iii) In addition, a locally prepared syrup with unknown ingredients.
Induced weight gain among Sudanese females is a growing practice
because it is closely associated with beauty, body image and prestige. To
gain weight, females may use different types of methods including use of
pills (dietary supplements) and even in some cases some antipsychotic
drugs that are known to increase weight as one of their side effects.
Unwise use of weight gain drugs and ambiguous preparations lead to illegal distribution of many types of products that might have unwanted
side effects or even hazards that could come up to fatality as reported in
person in 2018 by the Military Hospital, Omdurman, Sudan.
In the absence of published or unpublished information on the subject matter in the Sudan, this research was carried out to provide evidence
for the use and side effects of legal and illegal weight gain products by
Sudanese university girl students. Investigation on the availability, use
and impact of legal and illegal weight gain drugs by Sudanese university
girl students.
Methods and designs
Descriptive, cross sectional and university based study that took place at
Ahfad University for Women, Omdurman, Sudan. Snow ball sampling
was used to choose the participants who made verbal consent to
participate in the study. The size of the participants included 50 volunteers. Data from the responding students were collected by a
designed and pretested questionnaire and interview. Data from the
ambiguous drugs dealers were collected by personal interview, then it
was manually analyzed and the results presented in tables of frequency
and percentage.
Ethical considerations: Consent of Ahfad University Ethics Committee
was first obtained before commencement of the study. Verbal consent of
each participant was obtained before enrolment in the study. All
collected information shall be treated with utmost confidentiality and will
only be used for scientific purposes.
Body image and the use of legal and illegal weight gain drugs by Sudanese university girl students
Abdel Magied, Ahmed et al.
38
Results Response of the interviewed students are summarized in the
following tables:
Table (1) Distribution of the respondents by age group, by weight, by
type of used drugs and sources of used drugs
Distribution of the respondents by age group
Age group Frequency Percentage
19-20years 05 10%
21-25 years 45 90%
Total 50 100%
Respondents by weight (Kg)
Weight Frequency percentage
45-59 09 18%
60-79 36 72%
80-90 05 10%
Total 50 100%
Respondents by prescribers of weight gain drugs
Prescriber Frequency Percentage
Doctor 02 04%
Pharmacist 03 06%
Ambiguous illegal drug
traders
45 90%
Total 50 100%
Respondents by types of used weight gain drugs
Forms of drugs Frequency Percentage
Tablets 25 50%
Syrup 14 28%
Cream 11 22%
Total 50 100%
Sources of used weight gain drugs
Source Frequency Percentage
Pharmacy 02 04%
Omdurman market 30 60%
Khartoum Arabic Market 08 16%
Local hood boutiques 10 20%
Total 50 100%
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Table (2) Respondents by knowing the side effects of intake of weight
gain drugs, duration of taking weight gain drugs or preparations,
Respondents by knowing the side effects of intake of weight gain drugs
Response Frequency Percentage
Yes 30 60%
No 20 40%
Total 50 100%
Respondents by duration of taking weight gain drugs or preparations
Duration Frequency Percentage
2 weeks 05 10%
3 weeks 04 08%
4 weeks 08 16%
> month 33 66%
Total 50 100%
Respondents by weight increase by time
Site Frequency Percentage
Face 05 10%
Abdomen 10 20%
Hips 20 40%
Buttocks 15 30%
Total 50 100%
Table (3): Respondents by other side effects of use of weight gain drugs,
Respondents by reasons for increase in size of hips and buttocks
Respondents by other side effects of use of weight gain drugs
Moon face 15 30%
Acne 10 20%
Menstrual disorder 08 16%
Mood swing 10 20%
Fatigue 07 14%
Total 50 100%
Response Frequency Percentage
Days 07 14%
Weeks 30 60%
Month-months 13 26%
Total 50 100%
Respondent by first site for weight increase
Body image and the use of legal and illegal weight gain drugs by Sudanese university girl students
Abdel Magied, Ahmed et al.
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Respondents by reasons for increase in size of hips and buttocks
Reasons Frequency Percentage
Looking attractive and sexy
27 58%
Being very skinny 09 18%
Traditions and culture 09 18%
Self confidence 03 6%
Total 50 100%
Response of four ambiguous dealers of drugs and unknown
preparations
The first deals with “Dr.James gel”
The second deals with local syrup with in unknown ingredients
The third deals with “Althawra be nus”
The forth deals with “ALsafaga”, “Dr. James Tablets” and “Tageel wara”
Discussion conclusions and recommendations
In this study 50 AUW female volunteer students were enrolled for
investigation of the effect of legal and illegal weight gain drugs on
university female students.
The majority (60%) of the weight gain drugs were obtained from illegal
drugs sellers in Omdurman Markets, and hood boutiques. The obtained
legal pharmacy drugs are normally prescribed for remedy of some
illnesses or deficiencies associated with the health state of patients. However, the overwhelming majority (90%) of the recommended legal or
illegal preparations were sold by ambiguous non-professional personnel
and only 10% of the legal drugs were prescribed sold by a doctor or
pharmacist. This indicates that the majority of the respondents avoid the
formal health system sources.
The majority (60%) of the respondents used three tablets per day, 14%
twice per day either cream or syrup and 12% once per a day. For more
combinations it was 12%, and this can explain the fast appearance of the
side effects (increase in weight around the hips and buttocks). The clear
majority (66%) used weight gain drugs for more than one month, 16% for a week, 10% for two weeks and 8% for three weeks. This explains the
longer they used the drugs the greater the appearance of fat storage. For
the majority (60%), weight increase is within weeks, 26% in months and
for 14% in days. The reasons for gain in size of rumps and buttocks, for
the majority (58%) is because the body becomes attractive and/or sexy,
and 18% for being skinny and 24% for other different reasons.
The latter practices were related to traditions, advice of the neighbors as
well as propaganda by social media. This is in addition to literature sites
on how gender differences and how individuals perceive, judge, and feel
about their self-steam (Yousif et al. 2014). In this respect Jackson and
The Ahfad Journal vol. 36, no. 2, December 2019, pp. 35-42
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McGill (1996) reported that Black males prefer large body types for females while Black females prefer slightly thin body types for males.
Nonetheless, regarding race/ethnicity and body image, , it was reported
that Black women believe that body image is less central to their self-
evaluation and that they are more satisfied with higher body weights
than White women (Benkesser et al. 2012).
Of the respondents 70% reported that, the first sites of increase in size
were hips and buttocks, while the face and abdomen were for 30%.
However, the majority (60%) of the respondents were knowledgeable
about the side effects of the use of weight gain drugs, while 40% were
not. This indicates poor knowledge of a sizable sector of the respondents
about the side effects of the use of weight gain drugs. However, of the respondents 32% stated that moon face is one of the side effects of the
use of weight gain drugs, 12% mood swing, and 8% acne, 6% menstrual
disorder and 2%fatiuge. Accordingly, only a minority of 40% of the
respondents did not experience side effects. Therefore, it was thought
pertinent to conclude: Half (50%) of the respondents used weight gain tablets and 50% used
either syrup or cream.
The overwhelming majority of respondents (90) purchased weight gain
drugs from ambiguous traders and only 10% by prescriptions from
doctors or pharmacists.
For the majority (58%) of respondents size gain in rumps and buttocks is
for looking attractive and sexy, 18% for being skinny and 24% for other
reasons. Nonetheless, high percentage (40%) of the respondents was not
knowledgeable about the side effects of weight gain drugs.
Therefore, it was thought pertinent to conclude that university female
students use weight gain drugs, purchased mainly from ambiguous
traders. Use of weight gain drugs by university female students is to look
attractive and sexy. The main sites for increase in body weight are the
hips and buttocks. However, health side effects are associated with the use of legal and illegal weight gain drugs.
Accordingly, the following recommendations may be observed:
Sudan Ministry Health should enact laws prohibiting ambiguous traders
from marketing any type of legal and illegal weight gain drugs. The various types of media and activists should propagate the dangers of
use of legal and illegal weight gain drugs by Sudanese females.
Note on contributors
Abdel Magied, Ahmed, School of Health Sciences, Ahfad University for
Women Al Gamal, Ahmed School of Pharmacy, Ahfad University for Women
Akol, Nyalou School of Medicine, Ahfad University for Women
Body image and the use of legal and illegal weight gain drugs by Sudanese university girl students
Abdel Magied, Ahmed et al.
42
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