Self-Perceived Body Weight Status among Healthcare Workers in Kisumu East Subcounty, Kenya

Abstract

Overweight and obesity is one of the most serious public health problems of the 21st century. Its prevalence is increasing at an alarming rate in both developed and developing countries. The role of perceived body weight status regardless of measured Body Mass Index has drawn considerable research attention as it is associated with weight loss behavior. However, the role of perceived body weight status within the Kenyan context is poorly understood. This was a cross sectional study conducted between April and August 2014 involving 165 respondents sampled from nine health facilities. Demographic, socio-economic and lifestyle data was collected using questionnaires and anthropometric measurements were taken using electronic weighing scale and height measuring bar. Majority of respondents, (52%) had a misperception of their body weight status, among these 49% and 4 % underestimated and overestimated their weight, respectively. A statistically significant poor agreement between perceived and measured weight was observed across all respondents (kappa = 0.23, p = < 0.001). Perceived weight status was significantly associated with gender χ2 = 0.034 p = 0.03, age χ2 = 21.48 p = <0.001 and Body Mass Index χ2 = 66.7 p = <0.001. This study found high rate of underestimation and a low one of overestimation of body weight status among Kenyan healthcare workers. Socio-demographic factors associated with underestimation included gender and age. There is need to put in place interventions to sensitize healthcare workers on the importance of having correct body weight perception as a first step towards behaviour change for weight loss and lifestyle change.