Role of Primary Healthcare Centers in the Prevention of Overweight and Obesity

Background: About two-thirds of the population worldwide are obese or overweight, and if the current trajectory continues, 50% of the population will be obese by 2030. Community health centers and primary care providers are leading the charge against this epidemic. Objectives: To report on sharing primary healthcare centers in the prevention of obesity via the knowledge, attitude, and practice of primary healthcare physicians. Methods: A cross-sectional study, including analytical components was performed, involving a total of 224 primary healthcare physicians for the period 1st Nov. 2024 to 1st April 2025. In addition to demographic data, knowledge, attitude, and practice were obtained using Likert scales. Score of knowledge and attitude out of scope good and poor for knowledge and positive and negative for attitude, were not included in the analysis. Results: In this study, 43.8% of eligible participants showed a good level of knowledge of preventing and managing obesity, 67.9% showed a positive attitude, and 38.8% showed a good practice level. Higher qualifications were significantly associated with good knowledge but were not associated with attitude and good practice. Conclusion: Low figures for good knowledge, positive attitude; and good practice were observed in this study. Reforms in training for undergraduates and postgraduates in medical schools are important.