Examining the Influence of Nutritional Behaviors, Knowledge and Attitudes on Body Mass Index of Adults in North Mississippi

Individuals with weight statuses approaching obesity may be at risk for chronic health problems. Diet, weight, health behaviors, level of knowledge, and attitudes or perceptions have been identified as key factors influencing body weight. The purpose of this study was to determine which factors were related to BMI in adults in north Mississippi and to determine if there were relationships between those factors. A telephone survey was conducted with 500 participants (mean age 46.3 ± 18.5). The average BMI was 27.5 ± 6.2 kg/m2. Knowledge and attitude/perception-based data were associated with a higher BMI in the population more than dietary behaviors. Significant correlations (p \u3c .05) existed between fried food consumption and knowledge of overweight and obesity consequences, dietary attitudes and fruit and vegetable intake and fried food intake, self-reported risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease and perception of health