Endocrine Abstracts

Background

We aimed to determine the awareness of obese, overweight and normal weight patients about the complications, causes and prevention of obesity.

Methods

Patients who admitted to our clinic during a four months period were included. Demographical features, familial histories of obesity, smoking, alcohol use, chronic diseases, medications, medical nutrition therapy and exercise habits were determined. Answers of agree, not agree or no idea were obtained for 40 questions regarding the definition, consequences, risk factors and prevention of obesity. Patients were grouped as normal, overweight and obese according to the WHO criteria.

Results

Data of 352 patients (282 female and 70 male) were analyzed. There were 51(14.5%) normal weight, 72 (20.5%) overweight and 229 (65.0%) obese patients. Median ages were 49, 44 and 33 in obese, overweight and normal patients, respectively (P <0.001). Education level was lower and familial history of obesity was higher in obese patients (P <0.001). The rates of agreeing that obesity may cause insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia, fatty liver, sleep apnea, asthma, gastrointestinal problems, depression, mental problems, limitation of movement and mortality varied between 69.60% and 92.61%. Only 130 (36.93%), 138 (39.20%) and 191 (54.26%) patients agreed that obesity is associated with cholelithiasis, pancreatitis and cancer, respectively. The rate of patients who thought that obesity may cause death, sleep apnea and asthma were significantly higher in obese compared to normal weight patients. Approximately half of the patients agreed that obesity in family, eating too much, skipping meals, and engaging in other activities during eating are risk factors for obesity. Rates of agreement about risk factors for obesity were similar in three groups. More than 2/3 of patients agreed with how a healthy diet should be, and believed in the benefit of exercise. The rate of those who agreed that 4–6 meals/day and not to miss snacks are important for a healthy diet was highest in the obese group (72.92%, P = 0.043). There was no significant difference between groups in terms of other questions regarding a healthy diet.

Conclusion

While awareness about some of the obesity associated complications are high, awareness about others such as gall bladder disease, pancreatitis and cancer are low. Obese patients have higher awareness that obesity can cause death, sleep apnea and asthma. The knowledge about risk factors of obesity related with eating habits was relatively low. It is important to raise awareness of both obese and non-obese patients for the prevention and appropriate treatment of obesity.