Introduction

Obesity has become a pressing global health issue, contributing to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Its prevalence continues to increase worldwide, and in Poland, nearly one in three adults is affected, with obesity-related conditions significantly impacting both public health and life expectancy. Poland is a high cardiovascular-risk country, where CVD causes 35% of deaths, making its obese population a relevant cardiometabolic risk model. Patients’ knowledge on obesity and its consequences seems crucial in the fight against this modern epidemic.

Objectives

The aim is to assess public knowledge of obesity and its consequences to identify knowledge gaps.
Material and methods. An anonymous questionnaire was completed by 698 patients aged 18–88 (34.2% men; 65.8% women) in February–March 2025 in Poland; 691 were included in the final analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica version 13.3 (Tibco, United States).

Material and methods

An anonymous questionnaire was completed by 698 patients aged 18–88 (34.2% men; 65.8% women) in February–March 2025 in Poland; 691 were included in the final analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica version 13.3 (Tibco, United States).

Results

35.9% of participants were overweight; 17.7% obese; 89% recognized obesity as a disease; only 31.5% correctly identified abdominal obesity as more harmful. Awareness of its link with diabetes mellitus (92.5%) and cardiovascular disease was high (92.8%), but it was lower for obstructive sleep apnea (76.4%) and cancer (62.5%). Knowledge of surgical treatment was common (81.5%), whereas pharmacotherapy was known to 38.2%. Higher awareness was observed among women, younger respondents, and those with higher education

Conclusions

Participants demonstrated limited and selective knowledge about obesity, its treatment, and related health risks. Obesity prevention and education should be intensified in Poland.