Examining the Relationship between the Health Literacy Level of the Kermanshah Medical University Staff and their BMI in 2015

Obesity is considered as one of the global health challenges, which is increasing at an alarming rate in the 21st century. Identifying factors which affect obesity and determining the exact amount of the impact of each of these factors, including health literacy level, can play a significant role in preventing and reducing obesity. This study, therefore, aimed to identify these factors and to determine their role in preventing and reducing obesity. This cross-sectional descriptive analytical study was conducted in the year 2015 on 204 members of the Kermanshah Medical University staff. The sampling procedure was proportional stratified sampling. To collect the data, Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA) questionnaire and demographic information checklist were used. The weight and height of the staff were measured using digital electronic scale and measuring tape. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS software, version 19. The chances of being obese, recorded as 10.2 (2.9–37.1), increased with age. A significant relationship was also found between the marital status of the staff and their chances of being overweight and obese. The chance of being obese in married staff was 2.5 (1.3–4.8). The average health literacy level in women (83.7 ± 9.6) was more than that of the men (80.6 ± 11.1) (P < 0.01). A significant relationship was also found between health literacy and the chances of being overweight and obese. The chances of being obese were less in people with good health literacy level (more than 74), that is 0.4 (0.1–0.8), compared with those who had low or weak literacy level (less than 74). Increasing the health literacy level of the staff had a significant impact on the reduction of weight and obesity. Hence, it seems necessary to focus on the health literacy, in order to prevent and decrease the weight and obesity.