Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: October-December | Volume: 5 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 331-337
Knowledge and Attitude of Physiotherapist towards Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study
Krima Shah1, Alpa Purohit2
1Pursuing MPT in Musculoskeletal Conditions, Ahmedabad Institute of Medical Sciences, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
2MPT Musculoskeletal, Vice Principal and Senior Lecturer, Ahmedabad Institute of Medical Sciences, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Corresponding Author: Krima Shah
ABSTRACT
Aim:To check the knowledge and attitude of physiotherapist towards obesity.
Background:Obesity can be seen as the first wave of a defined cluster of non-communicable diseases called “New World Syndrome.”One of the biggest myths about physiotherapy is that it can only help a person to recover from an injury or solve troubles like stiff neck, leg pain. However, physiotherapy is much more than that. Physiotherapy can actually heal you holistically, promote wellbeing and do away with problems which might be coming in your way. While weight management is nothing less than a struggle in healthy individuals or after any injury, regular physiotherapy can go a long way in regulating the extra weight and prevent secondary problem
Methodology:A Study was performed on 150 physiotherapists who have completed their graduation.
A structured questionnaires “Obesity Risk Knowledge questionnaire 10” and “Attitude Towards Obese Person Scale” were filled by the physiotherapist and submitted questionnaire through Google forms and personal interview method
Results: 124 physiotherapists completed the questionnaires. When overall knowledge and attitude was checked: 52% participants scored less than 6/10 (poor knowledge).62% participants had negative attitude towards obesity. From 124 physiotherapists 41 were PGs and 83 were UGs. When knowledge was seen amongst graduates and post graduates, Post graduates had 48.78% and graduates had 54.21% poor knowledge. When attitude was seen amongst graduates and post graduates, 48.78% post graduates and 55.42% graduates had negative attitude.
Conclusion:This study concluded that there is less knowledge and negative attitude towards obesity among physiotherapists.
Keywords: Obesity, Knowledge of physiotherapist, Attitude of physiotherapist, Obesity Risk Knowledge questionnaire, Attitude Towards Obese Person Scale, Post Graduates, Under Graduates.