Year: 2026 | Month: January | Volume: 16 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 26-31
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260104
Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards Obesity among Women in The Urban field Practice Area of a Tertiary Medical College in Western Maharashtra
Aastha Pandey1, Ashlesha Dandekar2
1,2Department of Community Medicine, MIMER Medical College, Talegaon Dabhade, Dist. Pune
Corresponding Author: Dr. Aastha Pandey
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Obesity is defined as abnormal growth of adipose tissue due to enlargement of fat cell size or fat cell number. According to WHO, more than 1 billion people, globally, are living with obesity (2022). In females, Obesity is associated with increased risk of infertility, PCOD, pregnancy-related complications, along with many NCDs.
Percentage of women (15-49 years) who were obese or overweight, increased from 20% to 24% from NFHS 4 to NFHS 5. Levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices of people, specifically women are important factors in reducing or limiting burden of obesity in India.
Hence, this study was done to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of women towards Obesity infield practice area of UHTC.
AIM & OBJECTIVES: To assess knowledge, attitude, & practices towards obesity among women attending UHTC OPD of a medical college in Western Maharashtra.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 98 women attending UHTC using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire. Using convenience sampling, all women above 18 years attending UHTC OPD were included.
Data was compiled using Microsoft office Excel and results were calculated by using appropriate statistical methods.
RESULTS: Out of 98 females, 49 females were aged above 40 years. 56.21% had completed schooling. 45.91% had household income between 25,000-50,000. 40.81% had normal BMI; 37.75% were overweight and 15.30% were obese. 5 women had Hypertension; 2 had Diabetes Mellitus and 2 had thyroid disorders. 67.34% had good knowledge, but only 16.32% had good attitude and 26.53% had good practices regarding obesity. Only 10.21% women had good score for risk factor assessment.
CONCLUSION: There is a need for development of various intervention strategies at community level to reduce burden of obesity and other associated risk factors.
Key words: Obesity, Overweight, Women, BMI