The Beliefs of Obese People Towards Obesity

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a multifactorial complex disease that can be prevented. Obesity is a state of weight gain due to environmental factors and malnutrition and is effective in genetic factors, such as other chronic diseases. Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or more. In this study, we aim to investigate the knowledge and behavior of obese people about obesity and give them feedback about their weight.
METHODS: This study was conducted with participants who applied to the Family Medicine Clinic for any reason between 01.12.2018-31.12.2018. The questionnaire included questions about socio-demographic factors and their attitudes and knowledge about obesity. The data were collected by doctors using face-to-face interviews.
RESULTS: One hundred thirty two obese were enrolled in the study. Seventy-one (53.8%) of them were women. Seventy-two (54.5%) of them were low educated and 84 (63.6%) of them had low income. Female had higher BMI than men but there was no significant relationship (35.0 (30.0-51.0) kg/m2 vs 34.0 (30.0-48.0) kg/m2, p=0.195). Obesity in family history was positive in 102 (77.3%) of patients. BMI of participants with self-reported low daily exercise levels were significantly higher than those with self-reported high daily exercise levels (p=0.014).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Obesity is a long-term and complex problem and it is more than just what people eat. Additional studies are needed to investigate socio-economic, environmental and familial factors to understand its complexity.