Correlation Between Nurses' Body Mass Index (BMI) and Their Attitude Towards Obese Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is categorised as a non-communicable disease and has become a global problem and it is a significant risk factor in developing medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and others. Healthcare providers, especially nurses, play an important role in assisting and providing support to patients with weight problems. As the prevalence of overweight and obesity has risen, the report regarding negative attitudes among nurses, against obese people also has increased. As such, this study aims to examine the relationship between nurses' body mass index and their attitude toward obese patients. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted, and random sampling method was applied in selecting the study setting. One hundred and seven nurses were recruited from a variety of primary health clinics throughout Kuantan, Pahang. After obtaining informed consent, the questionnaires were distributed to the participants. Results: Out of 107 participants, 84.1% showed a positive attitude towards obese patients. There is no significant association between the body mass index of nurses and their attitude towards obese patients as the significant value (p-value) is greater than 0.05. Conclusion: In conclusion, the current study shows that nurses should maintain a positive attitude as it has been shown to boost the efficiency of nursing intervention and minimize biased attitudes.