Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity among healthcare providers and to assess risk factors associated with obesity.
Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study which included Health Care Providers from Thumbay Hospital and Clinic and Ajman Specialty Hospital. HCP were requested to fill a validated questionnaire covering various risk factors and psychosocial impacts related to obesity. Data was analyzed using SPSS 24 and association between obesity and factors found using Chi-square.
Results: The study included 369 respondents most of them were females (n=336, 91.3%), in the age group of 30-39 (n=239, 66%), ever married (n=337, 92.8%), under and normal weight (n=185, 52.7%). Most participants were nurses (n=326, 92.9%), worked at hospital (n=351, 95.4%), worked for 8 hours (n=354, 95.9%), worked for <10 years in medical sector (n=254, 76.7%) and workload was moderate (n=272, 74.7%). 52.7% of the HCP were under and normal weight where as 47.3% were overweight and obese. Overweight and obesity was found to be more common among; males compared to females (53.5% Vs.46.6%), age groups >39 (71.7%), ever married compared to never married (48.8% Vs. 26.1%), doctors compared to nurses (73.1% Vs. 45.5%), participants working at clinic compared to hospitals (62.5% Vs. 46.7%), shift duration >8 hours compared to 8 hours (80% Vs. 45.8%), using medication compared to not using medication (71.8% Vs. 44.3%), suffering from a medical condition compared to not suffering from a medical condition (65.9% Vs. 44.7%), duration of work <10 years compared to working for >=10 years (65.8% Vs. 67.6%), having family history compared to not having family history (68.8% Vs. 42.5%). Significant association was found between overweight and obesity and occupation, duration of work in medical sector, shift, age, marital status, medications, having medical condition related to obesity, having family history of obesity. Feeling worthless was associated significantly with obesity.
Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight and obesity is 47%. Significant association was found between overweight and obesity and occupation, duration of work in medical sector, shift, age, marital status, medications, having medical condition related to obesity, having family history of obesity. Feeling worthless was associated significantly with obesity.

Key words: Obesity, overweight, psychosocial impacts