Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of General Practitioners in Lahore with Regard to Excess Weight and Obesity: Excess Weight and Obesity

Fuad Hameed  Rai; Kinza  Jalal; Mahliqa  Maqsud; Zahra  Hussain; Ayesha   Niazi

doi:10.54393/pjhs.v4i06.639

Authors

Fuad Hameed Rai Department of Community Medicine, Akhtar Saeed Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Kinza Jalal College of Allied Health Sciences, Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan
Mahliqa Maqsud Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
Zahra Hussain College of Allied Health Sciences, Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan
Ayesha Niazi College of Allied Health Sciences, Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v4i06.639

Keywords:

Overweight, Undernourished, General Practitioners

Abstract

The number of people suffering from overweight has equaled the number of undernourished people. Objective: To determine knowledge, attitude and practice of resident’s general physician’s related to obesity. Methods: A KAP study was conducted among male and female physician having age between 30-60 years. Participants were asked about their knowledge, attitude and practice and scored according to their responses. The Sample size was 100. It was a questionnaire-based study. The questionnaire was divided into four parts professional and personal characteristics, including training related to obesity; knowledge of current recommendations regarding physical activity; attitudes towards obesity and patients with obesity and reported practices. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Results: Showed that Majority of General Practitioners (GP’s) (55%) know the prevalence of obesity and 52% know the body mass index ranges. (73%) think that obese patients are not comfortable discussing their weight. 28% GP’s measured weight and calculated BMI (66%). 54% of GP’s calculate their own body mass index. Conclusions: From this study it is observed that majority of the respondents know about prevalence of obesity and concept of BMI. It also sheds light on the fact that neither patients nor doctors are comfortable in discussing their weight specially when they are obese. General Practitioners involved in study know much about the weight related issues and their treatment as well. This highlights the need for improved communication and sensitivity when addressing excess weight related issues.

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