A cross-sectional study of student pharmacists' attitudes and self-awareness towards obesity and weight

Introduction: Neutral attitudes towards people with obesity is a necessity among student pharmacists entering the workforce and caring for this patient population. The purpose of the study was to investigate the perception towards people with obesity among student pharmacists. Methods: A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was sent to 237 student pharmacists. The questionnaire consisted of four demographic questions, the 14-item Fat Phobia Scale (FPS), and the 20-item Attitudes Towards Obese Persons Scale (ATOPS). Statistical analysis was completed to determine any differences between gender, age, and current status in pharmacy school. Results: Eighty-four student pharmacists completed the questionnaire (35.4% response rate). Most participants were female (84.5%) and > 25 years of age (61.9%). Scores indicated an average level of fat phobia with no difference between males and females (mean score 2.8 +/- 0.23 and 2.8 +/- 0.29, respectively; P=.92). For attitude, the mean scores were 0.93 +/- 0.42 for males and 0.75 +/- 0.59 for females, indicating a neutral attitude towards obesity and no difference between groups (P=.35). There was no difference in age (younger vs. = 25 years of age) in the FPS (P=.06) or ATOPS (P=.36). There was no difference in mean scores of FPS and ATOPS based on current year in pharmacy school (P=.69 and P=.97, respectively). Conclusions: Student pharmacists had an average level of fat phobia and neutral attitude towards people with obesity regardless of gender, age, and year in pharmacy school.