Background: Obesity is correlated with chronic degenerative diseases such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes etc. Although obese person should try to reduce their weight, they seem to have lack in motivation for weight control. Therefore, we conducted this study to evaluate recognition, attitude and practice about obesity and weight control among obese person.
Method: The subjects were adults over 120% of Broca's index who had taken routine medical examinations in some medical centers from Aug. to Dec. 1996. We used self questionnaires asking the recognition of obesity and related disease, the attitude and practice about weight control, methods, effects and the adverse effects of weight reduction.
Results: 460 obese adults(142 in male, 318 in female) participated in this study. About ninety percent of the subjects recognized their obesity properly. The more obese they were, the higher recognition about their body weight. Fifty-three percent of subjects were controlling their weight. The more educated, the higher recognition of them health condition and the less adverse effects of weight reduction they had. Obese adults with diseases had more appropriate recognition about health implication of obesity compared to obese adults without disease. More adverse effects were reported in unhealthy methods for weight control compared with diet or exercise.
Conclusion : Obese adults had relatively appropriate recognition of their body weight, but it didn't mean they had appropriate recognition of health implication of obesity and necessity for weight control. It is needed the proper education about weight control in obese adults. We should reinforce obese adults to control their weight practically.

Keywords: Obesity, Recognition, Weight control