A preliminary study on knowledge about obesity in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Abstract

This preliminary study is conducted in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia to evaluate the public knowledge regarding obesity. A self-developed questionnaire was used to conduct this survey among the individuals over the age of 18 years. The questionnaire consisted of 17 questions covering socio-demographic factors and knowledge about the causes, symptoms, complications and treatment. Convenient sampling technique was utilized and data was analyzed by using SPSS version 19.0. A total number of 33 questionnaires were distributed and out of this 30 were returned. The response rate was 90.90%. Demographics show that 53.3% of them were Malay, 36.7% Indian, 6.7% Chinese and 3.3% others participated in the survey. Out of this 60.66 % were females and 40.44% were males. About 93.3% of respondents mentioned that they have heard about the obesity, 46.7% know exactly that it is endocrine and metabolic disease and 6.7% have no idea about it while 6.7% do not know either it is disease or normal condition. Regarding the information about factors and symptoms associated with the obesity, fatty food choices, sedentary lifestyle, eating habits, physical inactivity, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, shortness of breath, daytime sleepiness and pain in joints were highly stated by majority of the participants. Among the consequences of obesity, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis and metabolic syndrome were mentioned mostly by the participants. People have moderate knowledge about obesity in Pulau Pinang.