Abstract
Obesity is a health concern and condition that has had increasing attention in the last decade. Popular media portrays overweight and obesity as a lifestyle disease that can largely be controlled by the individual or parent. However researchers, health professionals and nurses with an interest in obesity are challenged by increasing arguments in the literature with obesity referred to as a chronic disease requiring a new care approaches. Arguments about the factual basis of published morbidity and mortality rates attributed to obesity have led some health practitioners to suggest that there is weak evidence supporting overweight as a singular health hazard. 'Health at any weight' is one approach proposed by an emerging number of health professionals. Not only are nurses in western societies facing daily encounters with overweight and obese clients, many nurses themselves experience the lifestyle of overweight and obese individuals. In Australia, current figures suggest that 60% of the population is overweight and 25% are obese (using standard BMI measures). In the light of increasing focus of obesity as a chronic disease, a survey study was undertaken (following ethical approval) in one Australian state with registered nurses to explore their attitudes towards obesity in the community, patients and colleagues. A revised and expanded BATOS instrument was pilot-tested (n=100) and subsequently mailed to 400 registered nurses through the state regulatory body (N=22,000). A response rate of 58% (n = 244) has been achieved and the findings are currently under analysis using SPSS. The findings will provide a snapshot of nurses' attitudes and understanding of obese clients who frequently present with a number of co-morbidities. This information will provide a basis for expanding the knowledge of the needs of obese clients and their families in primary, secondary and tertiary care environments and the effects of obesity within the nursing team.