The obesity study shows gap in perception between patients and doctors

A survey among adults with obesity and their doctors in seven countries shows a high separation between their perceptions about the causes of obesity and treatment goals. The results presented at this year's European Congress for Obesity (ECO) in Malaga, Spain (May 11-14), underline biased misunderstandings about obesity that can affect the patient's access and support.

“Although the causes of weight gain and obesity are diverse and complex-and often through the control residents of an individual are still biased beliefs, the obesity through personal decisions such as healthy nutrition and movement alone. These misunderstandings simply simplify the misconception that requires obesity to a question of personal will punish, which puts individual responsibility on individual responsibility, and that Encourable stigma connections that lead the stigmic increase, and the stigma that is committed to a stigma to encourage Salas from K&X Ramos, a research and advisory agency in Sweden

Although obesity classified as a chronic, recurrent disease, it is often not adequately treated or prioritized in the areas of healthcare. Understanding the disease among doctors and people with obesity is limited, partly due to a deeply rooted weight distortion and stigma. As a result, people with obesity lack access to evidence -based and personal care.

In order to understand more about the causes of obesity and therapeutic goals of the doctors and the patients, and co-authors of Eli Lilly and Company, Adelphi Real World and University of Rome Tor Vergata, analyzed data from the Adelphi Real World disease, the one with the German woman who was examined with the review of Adelphi. with the German woman who was examined with the review of Adelphi, the German and Patient Crossection, with the German Läfäum, in the areas observed, in the areas, in the areas, in retros and in the linking of Germany, in the linking of Physician, in the areas. Spain, Great Britain, the USA and Australia between October 2023 and April 2024.

The doctors asked data and answered questions about the survey based on the first eight consultations during the examination period, with adult patients (18 years or older) lived with obesity and had a current/previous body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or up-to-date/previous BMI of 27 kg/m² or at least one complications related to obstacle. The doctor survey contained questions about the main reasons for the obesity of every patient and their treatment goals for the patient.

Her patients with obesity were then asked to fill out a voluntary questionnaire that contained questions that, after their perception of the causes of obstacles and therapeutic goals. The patient survey contained questions about the reasons for their current weight problems and what they hoped when they decreased.

A total of 1,379 answers from patients with obesity and their doctors were analyzed in the “Body Mass Index) category) and the classification of Edmonton obesity staging system (EOSS), which classified obesity on a five-point scale according to severity and underlying health conditions.

Coured misunderstandings about obesity

The results showed that doctors tended to report the causes of behavior for the obesity of their patients, who are often excessive food (69%), followed by a lack of movement (61%), fat -proof diet (51%) and lack of motivation (49%; see Figure 1 in Notes to the publisher).

Remarkably, doctors cited the causes of behavior with increasing BMI and EOSS category of their patients. For example, three quarters of the doctors stated that the main cause of obesity in their patients with the obesity of class III was excessive food, while two thirds quoted a lack of movement.
Like Dr. Ramos Salas said: “Individuals tend to have negative attitudes towards people with obesity if they believe that obesity is largely a behavioral problem.”

Although the majority of people with obesity attributed their obesity to behavioral and socio-economic causes (87%), they did this to a lesser extent than doctors (98%), which reported a much higher level of biological causes than doctors (81%compared to 61%).

People with obesity also regarded the genetics as the third overall cause for their obesity, while the doctors referred to genetics as 7th on the list of all causes (see illustration in notes to the editors).

Different treatment goals

When asked about treatment goals for their patients with obesity, the doctors reported to report the health-oriented results that improve the quality of life (about 75%), increase mobility (approximately 50%) and reduce blood pressure (approx. 45%), regardless of BMI or EOSS status (see Figure 3 in the notes in the notes).

When people were asked with obesity, what they hoped for, they concentrated to concentrate on how they look and feel, regardless of the results of weight reduction. For example, about two thirds reported that they hoped to look better or feel better, to feel more confident and to fit into smaller clothing sizes, goals that reflect more psychosocial results instead of just improvements in physical health.

According to Dr. Ramos Salas play a key role in the design of treatment decisions and can offer patients who live with obesity, a supportive, compassionate care by concentrating on improvements in general health and psychosocial well -being, and not just weight loss. By recognizing and addressing internalized stigma, doctors can also give patients access to additional resources, reduce self -acceptance and build up trust. “