Assessment of Health Beliefs Regarding Weight Control among Overweight and Obese Employees in University of Mosul: Applying Health Belief Model

Abstract

Background: Obesity and being overweight have become epidemics among adults in both developed and developing countries.

Aims of the study: The study aims to assess overweight and obese employees’ beliefs related to weight control behaviors.

Methodology: A descriptive study design was used to assess the employee’s beliefs related to weight control. The study was conducted between 1 / March / 2021 to 4 / October / 2021. The sample of the study consist of 80 employees whose Body Mass Index (25) or more. The instrument of the study is the Health Belief Model questionnaire for weight control behavior. The overall scale was measured on a 5-point Likert-type scale spread over the seven subscales to measure changes in HBM among employees toward body weight control. The data were collected by self-report questionnaire. Descriptive statistical methods were used to analyses data (Mean, Standard deviation, Frequency, percentage).

Results: The study showed that the majority of the participants in the study were aged between (30-39) years, (43.8%) and most of them were males (63.8%). The study finding indicated that the mean score of employees’ beliefs related to weight control behaviors was low (2.57) for all the subscales of health beliefs.

Conclusion: Researchers concluded that the overweight and obese employees’ beliefs related to weight control, in general, were low for all health belief model subscales.

Recommendations: The researchers recommended conducting studies aimed at reinforcing the beliefs of adults who suffer from obesity and overweight to reinforce their intentions towards weight control and to motivate them to change their unhealthy behaviors to healthy such as dietary behaviors and physical activity to reduce weight