Abstract

Background: Even though aware of cardiometabolic risks associated with obesity, health professionals and women are less knowledgeable about the association between obesity and breast/endometrial cancer, and obesity and reproductive outcomes.

Objective: To assess knowledge of the cardiometabolic, general, and reproductive risks associated with obesity in a diverse population of women.

Methods: A convenience sample (N=121 women) completed the study survey.

Results: Participants were less knowledgeable about the effect of obesity on reproductive outcomes (39.9%) compared to general health outcomes (59.2%). Higher education and increased income were associated with increased awareness. Older participants were more aware about the effects of obesity on general health and cardiometabolic outcomes.

Conclusion: It is important to improve awareness on the risks of obesity to reproductive women. Public education focused on the effects of obesity on reproductive outcomes may lead to behavior change, decrease health risks, and save medical costs.

Keywords: Cancer risks; Health habits; Women’s health; Obesity risks

Abbreviations: BMI: Body Mass Index; OHKQ: Obesity Health Knowledge Questionnaire; CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; K_OA: Overall Knowledge of Health Outcomes; K_GH+CM: General Health and Cardiometabolic Outcomes; K_R: Reproductive Outcomes; M: Mean; SD: Standard Deviation; GH: General Health; CM: Cardiometabolic