Despite changing attitudes towards obesity and its increasing recognition as a chronic, serious, and progressive disease, many barriers to effective care remain. These barriers are reflected in the insufficient interaction between patients and health care professionals relating to dialogue and treatment of obesity.
ACTION Study finds few people with obesity seek and receive long-term obesity care1
*Either “discussed being overweight” (68%) or “discussed losing weight” (64%) with their HCP
**Among those 71% who have had a weight loss conversation with their HCP in the past 5 years
ACTION Study identifies five key barriers to obesity care1
The ACTION Study explored attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors among all three groups that are preventing effective and comprehensive obesity care.
1. Challenges to maintaining weight loss
People with obesity engage in several serious weight loss attempts, but only a few are able to maintain the achieved weight loss
2. Reluctance to seek help
Despite recognition of obesity as a disease, most people with obesity consider weight loss to be completely their own responsibility, which may prevent them from seeking help from their health care professional
3. Inadequate diagnosis
Many people with obesity have not received a formal diagnosis of obesity
4. Insufficient dialogue and follow-up
The patient-provider dialogue about weight management is insufficient with few follow-up visits
5. Misaligned perceptions of wellness offerings
Employer wellness programs are not meeting the needs of people with obesity