Assessment of Public Distress for Clients with Obesity in Al-Diwaniya City

Abstract

Background: The obesity epidemic is an international public health concern. Obesity is also considered one of the most serious issues of public distress associated with the problem of moving or sitting in public places and teasing or discrimination by others.
Aims of the study: The study aimed to assess the assessment of public distress for clients with obesity in Al-Diwaniya City.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 262 obese clients ’non-probability selected (as a convenience sample) of two major hospitals in Al-Diwaniya City, south of Iraq though the period 5th of December, 2020 to 1st of May 2021. Data collection through a self-administration questionnaire consisting of three Parts: social-demographic sheet, corporal mass index, and the public distress questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the Descriptive and Inferential statistical method by Statistical Package of Social Sciences version 25.
Results: The study included 262 obese clients, (43.1%) are male and (56.9%) are female with mean age (34.92+10.036), years old. The study revealed that there is an effect of obesity on the public distress, were reported more than half reported moderate level public distress (56.1%), and followed by those who reported poor level (37%) and those who reported good level (6.9%).
Conclusion: The researcher concluded that the public distress of the participants is low in the domain of Teasing or discrimination by others, while, they have moderate public distress in the areas (Problems moving around or sitting in public places, and overall public distress).
Recommendations: The study recommended the necessity of Urging audiovisual and readable media to broadcast educational programs that limit the phenomenon of bullying against obese people.