Youths' knowledge and attitudes about obesity

Abstract

Obesity is a public health problem that has raised concern worldwide, especially in Malta (Chan & Woo, 2010). Since Malta has the highest prevalence of overweight rates and the highest incidence of obese youth (Janssen et al., 2005; World Health Organisation (WHO), 2009a), the aim of this descriptive survey is to identify knowledge and attitudes about obesity among Maltese youth aged between 16-22 years old. The objectives focused on; students' knowledge and attitudes about obesity and factors that could lead to obesity, their knowledge about its effects on health, and their knowledge and attitudes towards the prevention of obesity. This was undertaken by means of a descriptive, cross-sectional quantitative study. Structured semi-quantitative questionnaires, via open and closed questions, were administered by a random sample to 60 students attending post-secondary and tertiary educational settings. All participants accepted to take part in this study; therefore a 100% response rate was achieved. Data was tabulated and analysed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS)®. The findings supported both national and international study findings. A positive relationship between the total knowledge and attitude score was observed. The majority of youth had a positive knowledge score. It was significantly related to gender, participants' age and level of education. The vast majority of youth were more inclined to have positive attitudes towards a healthy lifestyle. Some attitudes were significantly associated with respondents' age and gender. Students suggested methods to prevent obesity among young people. The recommendations for practice, education and research suggested include; the increase of educational programs for youth on the media, preventive methods, healthier school environment, increase education about obesity from an earlier age, analyse knowledge and attitudes among a larger sample and include other sectors, compare knowledge and attitudes of obese and non-obese young people. Since, it was observed that youth had a higher score in knowledge than in attitudes; recommendations for policy making were also suggested. These were suggested to address attitudes towards a healthy lifestyle, among Maltese youth. These are; implement a national policy among school canteens and nearby food outlets to sell healthy food, to incorporate practice and educational sessions in schools, to implement a study so to investigate another free public fitness park and to develop more famers' market in different parts of the island.