District nurses' self-reported clinical activities, beliefs about and attitudes towards obesity management

To describe district nurses' self-reported clinical activities, beliefs about and attitudes towards obesity management; and to examine associations between the variables.

Obesity is increasing worldwide and primary care could play a central role in the management.

Questionnaire data were collected from 247 nurses in 33 centres.

The most common activities performed weekly were; advice about physical activity (40.1%) and general lifestyle advice (34.8%). However, nearly one third seldom/never performed these activities. Approximately half seldom/never performed BMI assessment and even fewer waist circumference (78.1%). Values for the factors Importance of obesity and Personal effectiveness were skewed towards a positive view and Negative view close to neutral. Multivariate analysis revealed that nurses with specialized tasks, longer working experience and higher perceived personal effectiveness performed more clinical activities.

Managers need to make efforts to engage all personnel in obesity management; and strategies to increase self-efficacy are called for.