Obesity, Knowledge, and Perceived Risk: Insights from the ObeCare Project Across Italian Territorial Pharmacies

Background: Obesity is a growing public health concern in Italy, with prevalence reaching 21.6% in 2022, particularly among the elderly. To address this issue, the ObeCare project was implemented to promote obesity prevention and awareness through community pharmacies. This study aimed to evaluate obesity-related knowledge, lifestyle behaviors, and risk perception among participants engaged in the ObeCare project. Methods: A survey was administered to individuals >18 years old across Italian pharmacies involved in the ObeCare initiative by trained pharmacists. A validated questionnaire assessed obesity-related knowledge, risk perception, lifestyle behaviors, demographics, clinical conditions, and Body Mass Index (BMI). A multinomial logistic regression was implemented to identify predictors of overweight and obesity. Results: Obesity was more prevalent among men, older adults, and those with multiple comorbidities. Healthier lifestyle and greater health knowledge were significantly associated with having a normal BMI, whereas low lifestyle scores (OR 13; 95% CI 2.96-57.85) and the presence of multiple comorbidities (OR 14.79; 95% CI 8.00-27.36) were strong predictors of obesity. Individuals with obesity exhibited lower knowledge (OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.02-2.37) and risk perception. Conclusions: This study highlights the significance of lifestyle habits, knowledge, and risk perception, which will be helpful in the prevention and management of obesity. These findings support community-based education and targeted interventions, especially for high-risk groups such as men, retirees, and residents of Southern Italy.