# Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding body weight management among patients with overweight or obesity: a cross-sectional study

## TL;DR

This study examines how overweight or obese patients understand, feel, and act regarding weight management, finding gaps in knowledge and negative attitudes that need addressing.

## Contribution

The study identifies a significant negative relationship between attitudes and practices, and a novel indirect effect of knowledge on practices through attitudes.

## Key findings

- Patients showed inadequate knowledge and negative attitudes about weight management.
- Knowledge had a direct and indirect positive influence on practices through attitudes.
- Educational interventions are needed to improve knowledge and attitudes for better health practices.

## Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to weight management among overweight or obese patients.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2024 at the First Hospital of Zhangjiakou, focusing on overweight or obese patients. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect demographic data and assess participants' KAP scores.

A total of 527 valid responses were obtained, with 299 (56.74%) respondents being female. The mean scores for knowledge, attitudes, and practices were 6.09 ± 2.93 (possible range: 0–11), 22.79 ± 3.02 (possible range: 8–40), and 32.89 ± 9.72 (possible range: 9–45), respectively. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between knowledge and practices (r = 0.305, P < 0.001), and a negative relationship between attitudes and practices (r = −0.516, P < 0.001). Structural equation modeling showed that knowledge directly influenced attitudes (β = 0.897, P = 0.008), and attitudes directly influenced practices (β = 1.108, P = 0.008). Additionally, knowledge had an indirect effect on practices through attitudes (β = 0.994, P = 0.007).

Overweight or obese patients demonstrated inadequate knowledge, negative attitudes, and proactive practices toward weight management. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions to enhance weight management knowledge and foster positive attitudes, ultimately leading to improved health practices within this population.