Beliefs about the consequences of living with obesity: findings from a national survey

Background and objectives: Adopting healthier lifestyle behaviours can help individuals manage their body weight. Modifying these behaviours can be influenced by beliefs about the consequences of maintaining a healthy weight. Gaining greater understanding of the interpersonal variability in obesity-related beliefs may enhance the design of effective weight management initiatives. This study aimed to capture the beliefs about the outcomes of living with obesity in a nationally representative sample and to explore their relationship with individuals' characteristics and health perceptions. Methods: A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted with 1000 adults from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Interviews captured: demographics; information on self-rated health and wellbeing; and beliefs regarding the health-, social- and cost-related consequences of obesity (through the Obesity Beliefs Scale). Univariable analysis drew comparisons in obesity beliefs between participants with healthy weight and those with overweight, with obesity and those who did not report their weight. Multiple linear regression tested the association between obesity-related beliefs with demographics, self-perceived health, diet and physical activity, and self-perceived capacity of improving own health behaviours. Results: Respondents with overweight and those who did not disclose their weight status supported to a lesser extent that living with excess weight has a negative impact on individuals' social life (P < 0.001). Additionally, respondents with obesity and those with no information on weight showed greater endorsement of the cost related to maintaining a healthy weight. The regression model showed that obesity-related beliefs were significantly predicted by weight status (P < 0.001), self-rated health (P = 0.013), dietary quality (P = 0.004) and perceived ease of improving diet (P = 0.001) and physical activity levels (P = 0.001). Conclusions: The present analysis highlights that adults living with excess weight and those who struggle to improve their dietary habits display a lower endorsement of the negative outcomes of living with obesity. Our findings come in agreement with the limited existing literature and have implications for the design of effective future obesity interventions.