Attitudes and beliefs of healthcare workers towards obese persons in occupied Palestinian territories: a cross-sectional study

Obesity is a growing public health concern in Palestine and worldwide, associated with significant health risks and costs. Obesity stigma includes negative attitudes, stereotypes, and discrimination toward individuals based on their weight and is common in healthcare settings. This study aims to assess healthcare workers’ attitudes and beliefs toward patients with obesity in the occupied Palestinian territories. This cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare workers in hospitals and outpatient facilities in the occupied Palestinian territories. Attitudes toward obesity were assessed using the Attitudes Toward Obese Persons (ATOP-20) scale, while beliefs about obesity were measured using the Beliefs About Obese Persons (BAOP-8) scale. A total of 103 healthcare workers participated in the study (mean age: 32.1 ± 12.0 years; 60% female). Overall attitudes toward obesity were predominantly negative across professional roles. More than half of the participants attributed obesity to biological factors, lack of love, overeating, or food addiction. Female healthcare workers (-3.4 (-5.1, -1.7), p = 0.033) and obese participants (0.47 (0.31,0.63), p = 0.006) and the ones with BSc education (5.7 (3.1, 8.3), p = 0.029) demonstrated significantly more negative beliefs and less positive attitudes toward obesity (p < 0.05). In contrast, years of professional experience, department, and number of patients treated were not significantly associated with attitudes. The study suggests healthcare workers may hold unconscious weight biases, especially females with less education, due to misconceptions about obesity. This underscores the need for education and awareness programs to reduce bias, promote understanding, and support compassionate, patient-centered care.