Antoun Jumana, Kfoury Cassandra, Chamaa Yara, Saade Youmna, El Tannir Sami
Department of Family Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
Int J Obes (Lond). 2025 Apr;49(4):682-687. doi: 10.1038/s41366-024-01693-2. Epub 2024 Dec 4.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity was previously perceived to be a lifestyle issue; however, it was declared a chronic disease by the American Medical Association (AMA) in 2013. However, family physician's views and actions toward managing obesity remain ambiguous and occasionally conflicting.
SUBJECTS/METHODS: This cross-sectional study explores the acceptance and knowledge of 171 family medicine physicians regarding obesity as a chronic disease. Family physicians were recruited through different channels, including members of professional scientific societies of family medicine that belong to the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office EMRO, a publicly available list of United States (US) family physicians, and authors' personal Facebook and LinkedIn connections. Data was collected across various countries through an anonymous online survey.
While most participants acknowledged obesity as a chronic condition with multifactorial origins, there was a notable discrepancy in treatment practices compared to other chronic diseases. A dual perspective emerged, as family physicians often emphasized self-responsibility and behavioral change over medical interventions, potentially hindering effective management. Lower initiation rates for obesity management was exhibited compared to other chronic diseases.
There is a gap between recognition and effective management of obesity as a chronic disease within family practice. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive obesity education in medical training to bridge knowledge gaps and reduce weight stigma, enabling physicians to provide optimal care for patients with obesity.
背景/目标：肥胖症曾被视为一个生活方式问题；然而，2013年美国医学协会（AMA）将其宣布为一种慢性疾病。然而，家庭医生对肥胖症管理的看法和行动仍然模糊不清，偶尔还会相互矛盾。
研究对象/方法：这项横断面研究探讨了171名家庭医学医生对肥胖症作为一种慢性疾病的认知和接受程度。通过不同渠道招募家庭医生，包括世界家庭医生组织（WONCA）东地中海区域办事处（EMRO）下属的家庭医学专业科学协会成员、美国（US）家庭医生的公开名单，以及作者个人在脸书和领英上的人脉关系。通过匿名在线调查在多个国家收集数据。
虽然大多数参与者承认肥胖症是一种具有多因素起源的慢性疾病，但与其他慢性疾病相比，在治疗方法上存在显著差异。出现了一种双重观点，因为家庭医生通常更强调自我责任和行为改变，而非医学干预，这可能会阻碍有效管理。与其他慢性疾病相比，肥胖症管理的起始率较低。
在家庭医疗实践中，对肥胖症作为一种慢性疾病的认知与有效管理之间存在差距。研究结果强调了在医学培训中开展全面肥胖症教育的必要性，以弥合知识差距并减少体重歧视，使医生能够为肥胖症患者提供最佳护理。
