Attitudes and beliefs about obesity among healthcare students in a Malaysian university

Background: Obesity is a rising public health concern in Malaysia, with more than half of adults now classified as overweight or obese. Beyond its physical health implications, obesity is strongly associated with weight stigma, which can negatively affect patient care and outcomes. Understanding healthcare students’ attitudes and beliefs toward obesity is critical, as these individuals represent the next generation of clinicians. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of weight stigma among medical, nursing, and dentistry students at AIMST University, and to assess whether greater biomedical knowledge among medical students is associated with lower levels of stigma. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 300 Year 2 and 3 students (100 each from medicine, nursing, and dentistry). Participants completed validated instruments: the Attitudes Toward Obese Persons (ATOP) scale, the Beliefs About Obese Persons (BAOP) scale, and the Norwegian Obesity Knowledge Questionnaire. Data were collected via Google Forms and analyzed descriptively using Microsoft Excel. Frequencies and percentages were calculated to identify key patterns and trends. Results: Respondents demonstrated mixed attitudes toward obesity. While nearly half (49%) agreed that obese individuals could be as happy as their non-obese counterparts, a significant proportion expressed scepticism regarding self-esteem and confidence among obese persons. More than 60% perceived that obese individuals are dissatisfied with themselves, and over 63% disagreed that obese people are as healthy as non-obese individuals. Beliefs about the causes of obesity were also divided: many participants attributed it to lifestyle and willpower, though a notable proportion acknowledged genetic and biological factors. Conclusion: Despite awareness of evidence-based approaches to obesity management, misconceptions and stigmatizing beliefs remain prevalent among healthcare students. The findings partially contradict the initial hypothesis, showing that medical, nursing, and dentistry students do exhibit weight stigma, though medical students demonstrated comparatively greater awareness of obesity’s complex aetiology. Targeted educational interventions that integrate empathy training, biological education, and inclusive communication strategies are warranted to reduce bias and prepare healthcare students to deliver equitable patient care.