Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Healthcare Workers regarding Obesity: A Survey at a Tertiary Hospital in Vietnam.

BACKGROUND

The global prevalence of obesity has tripled over the past four decades, with an estimated one-third of the world's population currently classified as overweight or obese. Obesity is recognized as one of the most urgent global public health challenges, with increasing rates observed in both developed and developing countries. In Southeast Asia, the burden of obesity is particularly concerning due to the coexistence of undernutrition and overnutrition, creating a double burden of disease. Healthcare workers play a critical role in the prevention, early detection and management of obesity. However, many healthcare workers lack updated knowledge on obesity, which is often associated with insufficient or inappropriate management.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of healthcare workers toward obesity management at a tertiary hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and to identify associated barriers and interprofessional differences.

METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 232 healthcare workers using a 22-item structured, selfadministered questionnaire. The survey evaluated knowledge of obesity risk factors and treatments, attitudes toward patient responsibility and stigma, and clinical practices such as screening, counseling and referrals. Associations between professional roles and responses were analyzed using Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.

RESULTS

Among 232 participants (37.5% were physicians and 62.5% were non-physician healthcare workers), only 63.8% [95% CI: 57.3-70.3%] recognized obesity as a chronic disease and fewer than half were aware of approved pharmacotherapies. While most workers believed they could assist patients, a significant majority (79.7% [95% CI: 75.0- 84.9%]) attributed weight loss primarily to patient responsibility, indicating widespread implicit weight bias. Furthermore, physicians reported significantly higher odds of inadequate knowledge of weight management compared to other staff (OR = 4.5, 95% CI: 2.1-9.5).

CONCLUSION

Significant knowledge gaps and implicit weight biases persist among healthcare workers regarding obesity management. Addressing these educational and systemic barriers through specialized training and multidisciplinary care models in Vietnam can provide a crucial framework for improving obesity management across rapidly urbanizing Southeast Asian nations facing similar metabolic crises.