The effect of knowledge on healthcare professionals' perceptions of obesity

Wynn, Thazin, Islam, Nazrul, Thompson, Charlotte and Myint, Khin Swe (2018) The effect of knowledge on healthcare professionals' perceptions of obesity. Obesity Medicine, 11. pp. 20-24. ISSN 2451-8476

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Abstract

Aims: We aim to investigate the link between obesity prejudice and knowledge of obesity, and any differences in prejudice and knowledge amongst healthcare professional (HCP) groups. Methods: A survey consisting of two previously validated questionnaires assessing obesity prejudice (Attitudes Towards Obese Persons, ATOP1) and knowledge (Obesity Risk Knowledge Scale, ORK-102) were sent to HCP groups in an East Anglian NHS trust. An R2 coefficient was used to determine a correlation between the two scores, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to assess differences between HCP groups. Results: 436 responses were received, 372 of which were complete and analysed. HCP groups included consultants, junior doctors, nurses, health care assistants, operating department professionals, and pharmacists. The average ATOP and ORK-10 scores were 69.1/120 and 7.09/10 respectively. A statistically significant difference was found between HCP groups' ORK-10 scores (p < 0.05); there was no statistically significant difference demonstrated between the ATOP scores (p = 0.50). Conclusions: Obesity prejudice was demonstrated amongst HCPs, although this did not correlate with knowledge of obesity. Knowledge of obesity was low amongst many HCPs and could be improved via targeted educational strategies aiming to aid staff in the care of people with obesity.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: obesity,prejudice,knowledge,healthcare professionals,weight stigma,sdg 3 - good health and well-being ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/good_health_and_well_being
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Norwich Clinical Trials Unit
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Depositing User: LivePure Connector
Date Deposited: 29 Jun 2018 09:30
Last Modified: 22 Oct 2022 03:54
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/67483
DOI: 10.1016/j.obmed.2018.06.006

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