Awareness of BMI Among Health Professionals in Tertiary Care Hospitals

A Cross-Sectional Study

  • Saad Hameed
  • Beenish Nisar Ahmed, Dr KRL Hospital, Islamabad
  • Muhammad Waqas Nisar Ahmed Jinnah Sindh Medical University
  • Muhammad Anis Musani
  • Mohammad Arfeen
  • Mehwish Nisar University of Queensland, Australia
  • Syed Hassan Abbas Naqvi
  • Javeria Hameed
  • Arshi Imran
  • Asad Ikram University of New Mexico
  • Muhammad Iqbal Afridi JINNAH SINDH MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
Keywords: Body Mass Index; BMI; Health Professionals; Tertiary care hospitals

Abstract

Objective: The main objective of our study was to determine awareness and knowledge of BMI amongst physicians in two urban tertiary care centers (Civil Hospital Karachi and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center).

Methodology: This was a comparative cross-sectional, observational, questionnaire-based study conducted at Civil Hospital Karachi and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, between May 3, 2013, and December 6, 2013. A total of 382 doctors completed our predesigned questionnaire. First, we asked the participants to report their own height, weight, BMI, BMI formula and the normal BMI ranges. Upon completion of the questionnaire we measured their actual height,weight, and BMI with the help of standardized scale.

Results: A total of 382 physicians were included in our study; 160 were males (41.9%) and 222 (58.1%) were females. The mean age was 29.99 (± 5.47) years old. Only 118 (30.9%) performed some form of exercise. Interestingly, only 286 (74.9%) physicians knew their own height while 310 (81.2%) knew their own weight respectively. While inquiring about their knowledge of Body Mass Index (BMI) 306 (80.1%) doctors reported they knew the concept and importance of BMI. However, only 112 (29.3%) knew the correct formula to calculate one’s own BMI. Moreover, only 110 (28.8%) physicians knew their exact BMI while 272 (71.2%) were completely unaware.

Conclusion: It is imperative for medical professionals to have self-awareness and knowledge of Body Mass Index (BMI) and its effects on health. Educational activities and modules should be created to promote awareness of these matters. Initiatives to increase knowledge of BMI and healthy ranges will benefit physicians in attaining a greater understanding of their own health as well as that of their patients. 

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Published
2020-02-22
How to Cite
Hameed, S., Ahmed, B., Ahmed, M. W. N., Musani, M. A., Arfeen, M., Nisar, M., Naqvi, S. H. A., Hameed, J., Imran, A., Ikram, A., & Afridi, M. I. (2020). Awareness of BMI Among Health Professionals in Tertiary Care Hospitals. Annals of Jinnah Sindh Medical University, 5(2), 87-92. Retrieved from https://ajsmu.com/index.php/AJSMU/article/view/30