AUTHOR=Sękowski Kuba Bartłomiej , Mazurek Agnieszka , Grześczyk-Nojszewska Zuzanna , Jankowski Mateusz , Kamińska Agnieszka , Olearczyk Agata , Silczuk Andrzej , Grudziąż-Sękowska Justyna 
  
TITLE=Social Perception of Obesity – A 2025 Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey Among Adults in Poland
  
JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health
  
VOLUME=Volume 71 - 2026
  
YEAR=2026
  
URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1608911
  
DOI=10.3389/ijph.2026.1608911
  
ISSN=1661-8564
  
ABSTRACT=ObjectivesObesity is a chronic, multifactorial disease. This study aimed to assess public attitudes towards obesity and identify factors influencing its social perception in a representative adult sample in Poland.MethodsA cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey of 1,088 Polish adults was conducted from 23–26 May 2025, using computer-assisted web interviewing (CAWI).ResultsMost respondents (85.7%) considered obesity a significant health problem in Poland. Nearly half (45.5%) believed obese individuals showed less interest in their health, while 44.2% linked obesity to a lack of health concern. Additionally, 43.2% viewed obesity as a cause for shame. Support for greater societal acceptance of obesity was declared by 45.6%. Multivariable analysis showed that having children increased the odds of recognizing obesity as a major health issue (aOR = 1.58; 95%CI:1.06–2.36, p = 0.03). Men and younger adults were more likely to perceive obese people as less health-conscious (p < 0.05). Viewing obesity as shameful was associated with male gender (aOR = 1.48, 95%CI:1.16–1.91, p = 0.002), age 30–49, higher education (aOR = 1.44, 95%CI:1.11–1.87, p = 0.006), and living in towns of 20,000–499,999 residents.ConclusionObesity is perceived as a significant health problem, but mis-perceptions remain common.