Self-perceptions and beliefs on obesity among obese staff in Malaysia military university

Obesity is a public health issue in many countries nowadays. It is associated with increased risk of developing type-2 diabetes, chronic pain and depression. In Malaysia, the prevalence of overweight and obesity were found 33.6% and 19.5% respectively in previous data. Multicomponent interventions (e.g., physical activity, self-perceptions, and life style changes) can lead to an average weight loss of 4 to 7 kg. This study aims to illustrate on some social and behavioral characteristics associated with bodyweight (BW). Selected thirty obese staff were included in this study. The body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 or BW more than 80kg were eligible to involve. A self-administered questionnaire was constructed based on social items, physical items and internal items in the causes of obesity. Data were analyzed descriptively. Most respondents believed that they could be thinner if they wanted to reduce weight. More than 80% of participants agreed that they easily be available fatty foods. 63.3% of them perceived that they became obese because of the lots of sugar and fat in their food. More than half of the respondents disagreed that obese people usually have medical conditions that cause them to get overweight. 53.3% of them disagreed that the obese people were born as fat baby are impossible to lose weight. Half of the participants believed that obesity is related to their genetics and 66.7% of them perceived that they cannot really control how much they eat. More than 80% of them believed that they do not have enough exercises and half of them agreed that if they have will power, they would be able to stop eating much and are not being lazy. This study highlighted the somewhat information on obesity and their beliefs. The further conventional study is needed to understand strategies for implementing effective weight loss program