Better management of weight in general practice – Study protocol

Abstract

Background and significance: Knowledge of obesity and overweight as a cancer risk factor remains at a moderate level in comparison to well known risk factors such as tobacco and sun damage; however, the extent to which knowledge of obesity and overweight as a cancer risk factor is associated with behavioural outcomes has not been commonly assessed or tracked over time. Method: This study tracked community awareness of obesity-related risk factors for cancer and level of overweight and obesity from 2004 to 2012. Data from five South Australian cross-sectional representative population surveys with approximate sample sizes of n = 3000 were analysed (adjusted for age, gender and socio-economic disadvantage) at 2-year intervals from 2004 to 2012. Main findings: While levels of unprompted awareness of maintaining a healthy weight as a cancer prevention strategy increased significantly over time (from 2004, 2006 and 2008 to 2012; OR = 0.32—0.72; p < 0.01), perceptions of being overweight as an important risk factor for cancer decreased significantly (from 2006, 2008 and 2010 to 2012; OR = 1.32—1.76; p < 0.001). Rates of overweight and obesity increased significantly from 2004 to 2012 (54% vs. 60%; p < 0.001). A significant association between unprompted awareness of maintaining a healthy weight and level of overweight/obesity was found only in 2010 such that those who were in the overweight and obese range were more knowledgeable (OR = 0.53; p < 0.01). Conversely, a significant association was observed between prompted awareness of being overweight as an important risk factor for cancer and behaviour in 2010 (OR = 0.85, p < 0.05) and 2012 (OR = 0.82; p < 0.05) such that those in the overweight and obese range were less inclined to perceive overweight and obesity an important risk factor for cancer. Conclusion: While the results indicate some degree of convergence between knowledge and behaviour in recent years, patterns differed according to assessment, i.e., unprompted awareness of maintaining a healthy weight vs. perceived relative importance of being overweight.