Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Obesity among Medical Students: A Cross-sectional Study from a Tertiary Rural Medical College

Background: As their prevalence increases, noncommunicable diseases burden the Indian health system. With obesity as the key culprit, sensitizing health professionals to all possible knowledge and good healthy practices could prove a primordial mode to positively change their behavior and communities as future beneficiaries. Aim: The current study’s objectives were to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding obesity in MBBS students at a tertiary care rural hospital. Study Setting: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students of phase I, II, III, and final MBBS at a tertiary rural medical college in central India. Materials and Methods: The predesigned and approved questionnaire on KAP regarding obesity was used to elicit responses regarding the KAPs of medical students. Questionnaires were shared through Google forms using intramail facilities, and responses were collected and analyzed. Results: The study received a total of 301 responses from medical students. Thirty percent of students were unaware of obesity as a disease. Eighty-two percent of medical students knew there were scientific approaches to define obesity. The modified Asian Pacific guidelines to define obesity were known to 68% of medical students. Forty-two percent of medical students had a daily practice of eating desserts, including chocolates and pastries. In practice, 42.5% had surfing and online gaming as a choice in their spare time, with a minimum of 14% reporting being engaged in sports and active physical work. Conclusions: This study provided a reliable assessment of students’ mindsets toward obesity as a health question. Although they were aware of obesity as intellectual knowledge, they lacked in their attitude and practices about planning a healthy diet and outdoor activities. It emphasizes the role of mentors in creating awareness amongst medical students to change their attitudes and follow good practices before encountering the community as role model doctors.