Study the Prevalence of Obesity among Iraqi Patients, Knowledge of Disorders, and Clear Communication about Weight and Health between Patients and Health Care Providers

A total of 140 patients were included in the study, with an overall mean age of 41.22 years (SD = 15.7). Of the total number of participants, 80 were male and 60 were female. The study encompassed all patients admitted to various hospitals in Iraq between 10 March 2023 and June 2024. A descriptive (cross-sectional) study was designed, and a protocol was established for the collection of data on anthropometric, clinical, and biological variables. The IBM SPSS software was employed for the statistical analysis of the patient's demographic data, with the aim of identifying any statistically significant relationships within the study parameters. The findings of this study are as follows: The mean BMI was 32.2 ± 4.2, with 80 males and 60 females. The patient's standard of living was evaluated, and it was found that the social level was 56.65±6.5 for males, 61.2±4.9 for females, while the psychological level was 55.9±3.22 for males, 58.7±4.12 for females. The data confirms the high percentage of patients who have LDL-C levels above the optimal range, a prevalence of low HDL-C, and a co-prevalence of obesity and overweight. The routine practice of calculating BMI is a cornerstone of the knowledge and clinical management of obesity. However, reported anthropometric data should not be used as a basis for this calculation because people tend to underestimate their weight and, conversely, overestimate their height. This results in an underestimation of the health problem of obesity, which calls into question the validity of this approach. In addition to the morbidity and mortality rates caused by obesity, it is important to consider the quality of life perceived by the patient. Quality of life measures are typically classified as general or specific. Specific measures to assess the quality of life in individuals with obesity are scarce in the literature. Several questionnaires have been developed for this purpose, including the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life and the Obesity-Related Problems Scale, which were utilized in the Swedish study Subjects. The findings thus far indicate that obese men and women report worse current health, less positive mood, and increased social dysfunction compared to the general population