Obesity prevalence and influencing factors of obesity in people applying to Elaziğ nutrition and obesity counselling services unit

Obesity is among the most important health problems in developed and developing countries today and is considered a disease that causes life-threatening problems. Factors such as malnutrition, lack of physical activity, genetics, hormonal problems and psychological problems are involved in the formation of obesity. This study was conducted to determine in detail the endurance performance and obesity provided to Elazığ Nutrition and Obesity Consultancy Services Unit. This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted at the Nutrition and Obesity Consultancy Services Unit of Elazığ Central Community Health Center between September and November 2015, on a voluntary basis, among the first 302 people aged 15 and over who applied. Data were collected face to face with the researcher. The survey form was prepared using literature on the subject. The data obtained were evaluated using Fisher's Exact and Chi-Square tests, and a p<0,05 level was considered significant. The average age of the research group is 36,98±12,19 years and 89,7% are women. The average body mass index was 29,05±6,64 kg/m2, and the average waist circumference was; It is 95,15±14,66 cm. According to BMI, 5.6% are underweight, 22,8% are normal, 25,5% are slightly overweight, 46,0% are obese, and 4,6% are morbidly obese. The obesity rate in women is 48,7% and the obesity rate in men is 22,6% (p<0,05). The obesity rate in married people is 54,3% and in single people it is 17,6% (p<0,05). While the obesity rate is 85,7% in illiterate people, this rate is 25,3% in university graduates (p<0,01). While the obesity rate is 41,5% in those who eat slowly, this rate is 53,8% in those who eat fast (p<0,01). While the obesity rate was 40,4% in those who did physical activity, it was 48,4% in those who did not do physical activity (p<0,01). While the obesity rate is 48,4% in those who skip the main meal, the obesity rate is 42,1% in those who do not skip the main meal (p<0,05). Obesity is higher in those who do not smoke, those who do not breastfeed, and those who have an obese family member, and no significant relationship was found (p>0,05). As a result, one quarter of the clients are slightly overweight and approximately half are obese. The obesity rate is high in women, those who are married, those who do not do physical activity, and those who eat quickly. As the education level increases, the obesity rate decreases. In order to protect the society from obesity, priority should be given to education and service provision on issues such as adequate and balanced nutrition and physical activity.