Overweight and obese patients’ attitudes towards anti-obesity treatments, and attitude associated factors

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is a public health problem with a rising prevalence. When lifestyle modifications, diet, and exercise fail, anti-obesity medications and surgeries are treatment options. However, they seem to be underutilized, due in part to patients’ attitudes towards these modalities. This study aimed to investigate patients’ attitudes toward these treatments. Methodology: A descriptive survey was conducted in a face-to-face fashion. Weight perception, prior weight loss trials, exercise and dietary treatments, perceptions related to obesity and its treatment, and demographic factors, were assessed in relation to anti-obesity medications and surgical treatments. Perception was analyzed both verbally and visually. Misperception was defined as being thinner than reality misperceptions (TTRM), fatter than reality misperceptions (FTRM), or either of them (ETFTRM). Results: 198 participants completed the survey. 30.8% and 23.7% of the participants would consider anti-obesity medications and surgeries, respectively. Females were more likely to consider anti-obesity medications (43.9% vs. 21.6%, p = 0.001). Patients who had exercised to lose weight were more likely to consider anti-obesity surgery (28.9% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.04). Appropriate weight perception was 16.2%. Weight misperception was not associated with higher or lower rates of anti-obesity treatments. However, among the patients in the highest body mass index (BMI) group (BMI > 35), participants with pure-TTRM were more likely to consider anti-obesity medications (66.7% vs. 18.8%, p = 0.01). Discussion: Medical and surgical obesity treatments are considered at a low rate among candidates or at-risk patients. Age, gender, exercise history, and pure-TTRM were associated with higher treatment considerations.