Stigmatisation of Obesity and its Relation to the Perception of Controllability in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: This study assessed the stigmatisation of obesity among a sample of the general population in Riyadh and its association with the perception of controllability. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during January–February 2021. The data were collected through a self-administrated online questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using John’s Macintosh Project, Version 16.0.0. Results: A total of 525 participants were recruited via convenience sampling. The majority of the participants exhibited a low level of stigma towards obesity (72.8%), and gender and BMI were significantly associated with the level of stigma (P = 0.0023 and 0.0360, respectively). The association between the perception of controllable factors and the level of stigma was also significant (P = 0.0001). Conclusion: A significant association was found between the stigmatisation of obesity and the perception of controllability among the general population in Riyadh. Recommendations should be based on joint international consensus statements for ending obesity stigmatisation in different settings and categories; healthcare service providers and obese patients should be educated on the relationships demonstrated in these findings.

Keywords: Obesity; Social Stigma; Perception; Saudi Arabia.