How to talk with patients about weight? Viewpoints of 1697 individuals with overweight and obesity.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the preferences of individuals with overweight and obesity regarding the optimal approach for discussing the excess weight during medical appointments.

METHODS

The cross-sectional study was conducted by distribution of an anonymous questionnaire in social media platforms during September 2020, aiming for respondents with body mass index over 25 kg/m.

RESULTS

The questionnaire was completed by 1697 participants, mostly female. Only 14.5% agreed that the weight issue should be brought up at medical appointments, while 69.3% preferred health practitioners to ask for a preliminary agreement to talk about the excess weight. The participants were frequently advised to lose weight without them wanting to talk about this (65.0%), when the reason for their appointment was irrelevant to the excess weight (60.4%), and without receiving any effective and practical tools on losing weight (60.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

Health practitioners should ask the patient for a preliminary permission to discuss the issue of excess weight during medical appointments.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Discussing the subject of weight during medical appointments should be done in a sensitive and respectful manner. Health practitioners should learn more about the numerous reasons for obesity, the adverse effects of weight stigmatization, and the practical tools to lose weight.