The ACTION Study

The ACTION (Awareness, Care and Treatment In Obesity MaNagement) Study is the first multidisciplinary study to explore the barriers and perspectives in the sphere of obesity care.

ABOUT THE STUDY
ABOUT THE STUDY
BARRIERS TO CARE
RESOURCES
Overview
Overview
Study methodology
Qualitative research
Quantitative research

ABOUT THE STUDY

Overview

Learn how the results of the ACTION Study can shift the way you see and treat obesity

ACTION Study explores attitude and behaviors about obesity

Obesity is recognized by leading health organizations, including the American Medical Association and the World Health Organization, as a chronic disease.1-5 Associated with decreased life expectancy and many comorbidities, obesity requires a long-term and comprehensive management approach to help people with the disease achieve and maintain successful weight loss.6,7

However, many people with obesity do not receive optimal medical care and support, often due to multiple barriers that have been identified in prior research.8,9

The ACTION Study is the first to explore these barriers and perspectives on obesity among three important groups in the sphere of obesity care: people with obesity, health care professionals, and employers. Each of these groups plays an important role in the care and support of people with obesity.

Three phases of the ACTION Study10

Three phases of the ACTION study

References

1. American Medical Association House of Delegates. Recognition of obesity as a disease. Resolution 420 (A-13). Accessed October 17, 2016. http://www.npr.org/documents/2013/jun/ama-resolution-obesity.pdf 

2. World Health Organization. Obesity: preventing and managing the global epidemic. Report of a WHO consultation. World Health Organ Tech Rep Ser. 2000;894:1-253.

3. Bray GA, Kim KK, Wilding JPH. Obesity: a chronic relapsing progressive disease process. A position statement of the World Obesity Federation. Obes Rev. May 2017.

4. Mechanick JI, Garber AJ, Handelsman Y, Garvey WT. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists’ position statement on obesity and obesity medicine. Endocr Pract. 2012;18(5):642-648.

5. McKinney L. Diagnosis and Management of Obesity. American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Accessed December 20, 2017. https://www.aafp.org/dam/AAFP/documents/patient_care/fitness/obesity-diagnosis-management.pdf 

6. Jensen MD, Ryan DH, Apovian CM, et al. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines; Obesity Society. 2013 AHA/ACC/TOS guideline for the management of overweight and obesity in adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and The Obesity Society. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014;63(25ptB):2985-3023.

7. Guh DP, Zhang W, Bansback N, et al. The incidence of co-morbidities related to obesity and overweight: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health. 2009;9:88.

8. Puhl RM, Huer CA. Obesity stigma: important considerations for public health. Am J Pub Health. 2010;100(6)1019-1028.

9. Ruelaz AR, Diefenbach P, Simon B, Lando A, Arterburn D, Shekelle PG. Perceived barriers to weight management in primary care—perspectives of patients and providers. Gen Intern Med. 2007;22:518-522.

10. Kaplan LM, Golden A, Jinnett K, et al. Perceptions of barriers to effective obesity care: results from the National ACTION Study. Obesity. 2018;26(1):61-69.

ABOUT THE STUDY

Study methodology

ACTION Study objectives

1

Create a better understanding of the barriers that prevent people with obesity from receiving the medical care and support needed to improve health

2

Generate insights to guide collaborative action to improve care, education, and support for people with obesity

3

Create a platform for communication to help change how people with obesity, health care professionals, and employers manage, treat, and support obesity

To achieve these objectives, the ACTION Study involved a comprehensive literature review, qualitative research, and quantitative surveys of more than 3,000 people with obesity, 600 health care professionals, and 150 employers in the United States. In all, this research produced data points around the perceptions of obesity, the care people with obesity receive, and the support and resources that HCPs and employers offer to people with obesity.

The ACTION Study is sponsored by Novo Nordisk.

Qualitative research design

To begin to identify perspectives on obesity and inform the design of the quantitative survey, focus groups and interviews were conducted with 43 people with obesity and 24 health care professionals (12 primary care physicians and 12 weight-loss specialists).1

Icon of focus group

Six focus groups for people with obesity were held in New York City, Dallas, and San Francisco. Participants were above 18 years old and met the criteria for obesity diagnosis. Groups were divided by gender and obesity class (I, II or III).1

Icon of phone interview

Telephone interviews with primary care providers and obesity specialists (physicians and nurse practitioners) were conducted to explore perceptions of obesity treatments, patient interactions, and observations of patient weight loss experiences. Obesity specialists were certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine.1

For both groups, participants were identified by independent sources.

Quantitative research results

Based on the qualitative research findings, an extensive quantitative survey was conducted with people with obesity, health care professionals, and employers. Study results reveal key barriers to obesity care, including differing attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors that may lead to a lack of collaboration and action.

The quantitative data was collected from and reflects the perspectives of these three groups:

People with obesity, health care professionals, and employers

Reference

1. Kaplan L, Golden A, O'Neil P, et al. Divergence of patient and clinician perceptions of obesity and weight management. Poster presented at: ObesityWeek 2015; November 2-6, 2015; Los Angeles, CA.

ABOUT THE STUDY

Qualitative research

ACTION Study qualitative research indicates differences in perception about obesity among participants1

People with obesity and health care professionals diverge on cause of obesity and impact on health.

Brain with arrows pointing to a health care professional and a patient

The qualitative research findings from the ACTION Study highlight several key differences in perceptions between people with obesity and health care professionals, particularly around the understanding of the impact of obesity on health, as well as barriers to weight loss. The qualitative research informed the design of more extensive quantitative research.

Reference

1. Kaplan L, Golden A, O'Neil P, et al. Divergence of patient and clinician perceptions of obesity and weight management. Poster presented at: ObesityWeek 2015; November 2-6, 2015; Los Angeles, CA.

ABOUT THE STUDY

Quantitative research

ACTION Study reveals key barriers to effective obesity care1

The first US nationwide study to investigate barriers to obesity management from the perspective of people with obesity, health care professionals, and employers, the ACTION Study quantitative research follows a literature review and robust qualitative research. The data was collected through surveys of more than 3,000 people with obesity, 600 health care professionals, and 150 employers.

Despite agreement among people with obesity, health care professionals, and employers that obesity is a disease, the ACTION Study reveals significant differences among the participant groups that provide insight to the key barriers that may prevent people with obesity from accessing medical care to effectively manage their weight.1

Reference

1. Kaplan LM, Golden A, Jinnett K, et al. Perceptions of barriers to effective obesity care: results from the National ACTION Study. Obesity. 2017. doi:10.1002/oby.22054

Overview
Overview
Weight-loss challenges
Reluctance to seek help
Lack of diagnosis
Inadequate follow-up
Unclear wellness offerings
Take action

BARRIERS TO CARE

Overview

ACTION Study finds few people with obesity seek and receive long-term obesity care1    

Despite changing attitudes toward 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.

Conversations about weight are insufficient1

Graphic depicting ACTION study finding that few people with obesity seek and receive long-term obesity care

ACTION Study identifies 5 key barriers to obesity care1

The ACTION Study explored attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors among all 3 groups that are preventing effective and comprehensive obesity care.

Icon of person climbing

1. Weight-loss challenges

People with obesity engage in several serious weight-loss attempts, but only a few are able to maintain the achieved weight loss

Icon of person sitting down thinking

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

Icon of magnifying glass

3. Inadequate diagnosis

Many people with obesity have not received a formal diagnosis of obesity

Insufficient dialogue icon

4. Inadequate follow-up

The patient-provider dialogue about weight management is insufficient with few follow-up visits

Target icon

5. Unclear wellness offerings

Employer wellness programs are not meeting the needs of people with obesity

Reference

1. Kaplan LM, Golden A, Jinnett K, et al. Perceptions of barriers to effective obesity care: results from the National ACTION Study. Obesity. 2017. doi:10.1002/oby.22054

BARRIERS TO CARE

Weight-loss challenges

People with obesity engage in several serious weight loss attempts, but only a few are able to maintain the achieved weight loss.1

People with obesity reported many serious weight-loss attempts, but those who achieved weight loss had difficulty maintaining it

Scale with the number seven
Bar graph with 23% and 10%

Weight-loss goals

People with obesity (84%) and health care professionals (88%) agree that a 10% weight loss would be beneficial to overall health, a statistic that aligns with scientific literature that states a 5% to 10% weight loss can help improve some obesity-related diseases.1-9

However, the average weight-loss goal set between people with obesity and their health care professional is reported as 20% weight loss.1

Arrows down with 10% and 20%
Magnifying glass over a document

The bottom line:
Weight-loss challenges

Losing weight and maintaining weight loss is difficult, but people with obesity make multiple serious attempts to lose weight.

References

1. Kaplan LM, Golden A, Jinnett K, et al. Perceptions of Barriers to Effective Obesity Care: Results from the National ACTION Study. Obesity. 2017. doi:10.1002/oby.22054

2. Jensen MD, Ryan DH, Apovian CM, et al; American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines; Obesity Society. 2013 AHA/ACC/TOS guideline for the management of overweight and obesity in adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and The Obesity Society. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014;63(25ptB):2985-3023.

3. Knowler WC, Barrett-Connor E, Fowler SE, et al; for the Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group. Reduction in the incidence of type 2 diabetes with lifestyle intervention or metformin. N Engl J Med. 2002;346(6)393-403.

4. Wing RR, Lang W, Wadden TA, et al. Benefits of modest weight loss in improving cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese individuals with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2011;34(7):1481-1486.

5. Dattilo AM, Kris-Etherton PM. Effects of weight reduction on blood lipids and lipoproteins: a meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 1992;56(2):320-328.

6. Tuomilehto H, Seppa J, Uusitupa M, et al. The impact of weight reduction in the prevention of the progression of obstructive sleep apnea: an explanatory analysis of a 5-year observational followup trial. Sleep Med. 2014;15(3):329-335.

7. Foster GD, Borradaile KE, Sanders MH, et al; for the Sleep AHEAD Research Group of the Look AHEAD Research Group. A randomized study on the effect of weight loss on obstructive sleep apnea among obese patients with type 2 diabetes: the Sleep AHEAD study. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(17):1619-1626.

8. Kuna ST, Reboussin DM, Borradaile KE, et al. Long-term effect of weight loss on obstructive sleep apnea severity in obese patients with type 2 diabetes. Sleep. 2013;36:641-649.

9. Ryan DH, Yockey SR. Weight loss and improvement in comorbidity: differences at 5%, 10%, 15%, and over. Curr Obes Rep. 2017;6(2):187-194.

BARRIERS TO CARE

Reluctance to seek help

Most people with obesity and health care professionals believe obesity is a disease, and many patients with obesity view it as serious, or more serious, than many other health conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression.

Most people with obesity view weight loss as solely their responsibility, which may prevent them from seeking help1

Bar graph with 65% and 80%
Medical cross

Views on personal responsibility for weight loss1

Even though people with obesity consider obesity a disease, most view weight loss to be completely their own responsibility. However, most health care professionals reported that they have a responsibility to actively contribute to their patients’ weight loss.

Bar graph with 82% and 72%

Differing perspectives: Top reasons why people with obesity don’t seek weight loss help from their health care professional1

Top reasons according to people with obesity
Top reasons according to health care professionals

The impact of weight on future health1

People with obesity and health care professionals have different levels of concern when it comes to how a person’s weight affects future health.

Bar graph with 54% and 93%
Person crawling icon

The bottom line:
Reluctance to seek help

Despite general consensus that obesity is a disease, there is a strong belief held by people with obesity that weight loss is their own responsibility. This may contribute to their not seeking medical care for their disease.

Reference

1. Kaplan LM, Golden A, Jinnett K, et al. Perceptions of barriers to effective obesity care: results from the National ACTION Study. Obesity. 2017. doi:10.1002/oby.22054

BARRIERS TO CARE

Lack of diagnosis

Although all ACTION Study participants actually had obesity based on self-reported height and weight, only slightly more than half report having received a formal diagnosis of the disease. When it comes to self-perception, about half consider themselves as being overweight while the other half consider themselves as having obesity.

Many people with obesity have not received a formal diagnosis of obesity1

55% donut pie chart
Bar graph with 2%, 48%, and 50%

Health care professionals inconsistently record diagnosis of obesity1

The majority of health care professionals reported that they record “overweight” or “obesity” in the medical record.

Pie chart with 28%, 31%, and 41%
Broken light bulb

Bottom line: Lack of diagnosis

The first step to addressing a disease is recognizing and diagnosing it. Thus, the lack of formal obesity diagnoses is a barrier to obesity management.

Reference

1. Kaplan LM, Golden A, Jinnett K, et al. Perceptions of barriers to effective obesity care: results from the National ACTION Study. Obesity. 2017. doi:10.1002/oby.22054

BARRIERS TO CARE

Inadequate follow-up

The majority of people with obesity say they have spoken with a health care professional about their weight within the past 5 years, but only slightly more than a third say they have discussed a weight-loss plan with their health care professional within the past 6 months.

The patient-provider dialogue about weight management is insufficient with few follow-up visits1

Differing perceptions around initiation of obesity dialogue

Both people with obesity and health care professionals reported initiating these conversations. About half (47%) of people with obesity say they initiate the conversation, while two-thirds (67%) of health care professionals say they initiate the weight-management dialogue.

Bar graph with 71% and 38%
HCP-reported hurdles to discussing weight with their patients

Many health care professionals are comfortable discussing weight1

Most health care professionals (67%) say they are very or extremely comfortable discussing weight management with their patients, but they cite hurdles to initiating these conversations.

Limited follow-up appointments1

Among people with obesity who discussed their weight with a health care professional, only 24% reported that a weight related follow-up appointment was scheduled. More than 95% of people with obesity have kept or intended to keep the follow-up appointment.

24% donut pie chart
Woman wearing sunglasses and smiling

Learn how people with obesity can initiate the weight-management conversation with health care professionals

VISIT TruthAboutWeight.com

The bottom line:
Inadequate follow-up

Insufficient dialogue about weight management and lack of follow-up appointments present a key barrier to chronic care of obesity.

Reference

1. Kaplan LM, Golden A, Jinnett K, et al. Perceptions of barriers to effective obesity care: results from the National ACTION Study. Obesity. 2017. doi:10.1002/oby.22054

BARRIERS TO CARE

Unclear wellness offerings

Like people with obesity and health care professionals, the majority of employers (64%) agree that obesity is a disease; however, fewer employers agree they have at least partial responsibility for employees’ weight loss.

 

At the same time, employers are motivated to offer wellness programs and more than three quarters (77%) of employers reported providing health and wellness information to employees. Some of these programs include weight-management components.

Employer wellness programs are not meeting the needs of people with obesity1  

Bar graph with 18%, 37%, and 46%

Employers offer wellness programs for a variety of reasons1

Down arrow with a dollar sign

75%

Reduce insurance premiums/claims

Bicycle

72%

Promote healthy behaviors among employees

Person doing yoga icon

70%

Improve the physical well-being of employees

Family icon

61%

Support the well-being of employees and their families

Bar graph increasing

53%

Improve work productivity

Value in wellness programs perceived differently by employers and people with obesity1

The wellness programs offered by employers are not perceived by the majority of people with obesity as helpful.

Bar graph with 72% and 17%

Insurance coverage for medical treatment of obesity is a source of concern for employers1

A small number of people with obesity (13%) reported that their employer offers insurance coverage for the medical treatment of obesity. Employers cited multiple reasons for their concern around coverage.

52% donut pie chart
27% donut pie chart
27% donut pie chart
Woman wearing glasses

Learn about the impact of obesity in the workplace and how chronic weight-management initiatives can be implemented

VISIT NovoNordiskWorks.com
Magnifying glass over a document

The bottom line:
Unclear wellness offerings

Varying perceptions of the value of wellness programs, as well as employer concerns regarding insurance coverage, present a barrier to effective obesity management.

Reference

1. Kaplan LM, Golden A, Jinnett K, et al. Perceptions of barriers to effective obesity care: results from the National ACTION Study. Obesity. 2017. doi:10.1002/oby.22054

BARRIERS TO CARE

Take ACTION

Although obesity is generally perceived to be a disease, it is not consistently being treated as such1

Person with obesity icon

There is a strong belief held by people with obesity that weight loss is their own responsibility. This may contribute to a reluctance to seek medical care for their disease.

Medical cross icon

Health care professionals see a responsibility to support their patients' weight-management efforts, but they don't always offer an obesity diagnosis. Conversations with their patients are not always followed up in subsequent appointments.

Three people icon

While employers have the desire to improve the physical well-being of employees, their offerings are not effectively supporting the weight-loss efforts of people with obesity.

Collaborative efforts are necessary for more effective obesity care

The barriers identified in the ACTION Study highlight the need for collaborative efforts that can lead to better understanding of obesity and more effective solutions for obesity care.

Icon of person climbing

Educate people with obesity, health care professionals, and employers about the biology, chronicity, and overall health impact of the disease. This could foster a greater willingness for these groups to work together to support weight management.
Learn more about obesity and the impact on the body.

Icon of person sitting down thinking

Inform health care professionals about reasons why people with obesity may not discuss weight. This could reduce the reluctance among health care professionals to proactively initiate these important conversations.
Learn how health care professionals can best engage in productive weight management conversations with people with obesity.

Icon of magnifying glass

Encourage health care professionals to regularly schedule follow-up visits focusing on the obesity diagnosis and the value of 5% to 10% weight loss, given patients’ inclination to keep these appointments.2-8 Such efforts will provide greater consistency and support to people with obesity, and underscore that obesity is a disease that requires chronic weight management.
Learn how health care professionals can deliver the message that weight loss as little as 5% can benefit patients.

Insufficient dialogue icon

Increase understanding among employers that obesity can be effectively treated as a disease, potentially helping them better promote wellness programs and more rigorously assess their effectiveness in line with the needs of people with obesity.

References

1. Kaplan LM, Golden A, Jinnett K, et al. Perceptions of Barriers to Effective Obesity Care: Results from the National ACTION Study. Obesity. 2017. doi:10.1002/oby.22054

2. Jensen MD, Ryan DH, Apovian CM, et al. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines; Obesity Society. 2013 AHA/ACC/TOS guideline for the management of overweight and obesity in adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and The Obesity Society. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014;63(25ptB):2985-3023.

3. Knowler WC, Barrett-Connor E, Fowler SE, et al; for the Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group. Reduction in the incidence of type 2 diabetes with lifestyle intervention or metformin. N Engl J Med. 2002;346(6)393-403.

4. Wing RR, Lang W, Wadden TA, et al. Benefits of modest weight loss in improving cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese individuals with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2011;34(7):1481-1486.

5. Dattilo AM, Kris-Etherton PM. Effects of weight reduction on blood lipids and lipoproteins: a meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 1992;56(2):320-328.

6. Tuomilehto H, Seppa J, Uusitupa M, et al. The impact of weight reduction in the prevention of the progression of obstructive sleep apnea: an explanatory analysis of a 5-year observational follow-up trial. Sleep Med. 2014;15(3):329-335.

7. Foster GD, Borradaile KE, Sanders MH, et al; for the Sleep AHEAD Research Group of the Look AHEAD Research Group. A randomized study on the effect of weight loss on obstructive sleep apnea among obese patients with type 2 diabetes: the Sleep AHEAD study. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(17):1619-1626.

8. Kuna ST, Reboussin DM, Borradaile KE, et al. Long-term effect of weight loss on obstructive sleep apnea severity in obese patients with type 2 diabetes. Sleep. 2013;36:641-649.

RESOURCES

Organizations

Many credible organizations provide information and education on the latest scientific findings in obesity, as well as provide helpful resources on obesity management.

FOR PEOPLE WITH OBESITY

FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS

FOR EMPLOYERS

FOR POLICYMAKERS

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