Perception and Management of Obesity Among Pakistani Doctors

Abstract

Background The incidence of obesity has been on the rise worldwide. In Pakistan alone, one in four adults is overweight/obese and thus at risk of developing a number of comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This research aimed to examine how doctors perceived and managed their obese patients. Methods A standardized questionnaire was filled by 100 doctors working in Pakistan, either by hand or online. The study was conducted from November 2017 to January 2018. Results It was found that only 8% of doctors had completed a training course on obesity. Doctors discussed the links between obesity and diabetes (88%) most often whilst neglecting cancer (30%) and dementia (17%). Only 60% of doctors calculated body mass index (BMI) for adult obese patients, with general practitioners (GPs) being the most confident in discussing their weight issues (p=0.001). In terms of childhood obesity, 54% of doctors were confident in putting in place a weight management program. Doctors who checked their weight more than four times a year were found to calculate the BMI of children and adult patients more often (p=0.000 and p=0.044). Comparably, doctors of normal weight were more confident in managing the complications of adult obesity (p=0.015). Conclusion Training courses regarding obesity should be provided to doctors not only to increase their knowledge but also to increase their confidence levels in managing such patients. Further research needs to be carried out in order to understand the patients’ perception of obesity management.

Abordaje del sobrepeso y la obesidad de niños preescolares en la clínica pediátrica

“…Un aspecto poco estudiado en la "epidemia de sobrepeso" es la aceptación por parte de los padres del sobrepeso en las etapas infantiles, ya que frecuentemente en nuestro modelo cultural se confunde sobrepeso con salud. Esta aceptación puede condicionar la ausencia de modificaciones en la actividad física o en los patrones alimentarios que están en la base del sobrepeso del niño 12 . El grado de compromiso familiar es sumamente importante en la efectividad del tratamiento de la obesidad en los niños 7 .…”

“…Sin embargo, los médicos y otros profesionales de la salud pueden encontrar este campo un tanto dificultoso para abordar 6 . Aunque la Asociación Médica Americana (AMA) clasificó la obesidad como una enfermedad en 2013, se ha encontrado que los médicos continúan tratándolo como un factor de riesgo 12,13 . El pediatra debe detectar la población de riesgo, sobre la que deberá incidir de manera especial promoviendo la adquisición de hábitos alimentarios saludables y de actividad física.…”

Early Outcomes of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) in Morbidly Obese Patients

“…Similarly, every fourth Pakistani adult is either obese or overweight and hence at a higher risk of suffering from obesity-related comorbid conditions. [1,2]Over 20 percent of children and adolescents have a body mass index (BMI)> 85 percentile, which is a worrisome sign of the obesity epidemic's impact on public health [3]. Due to the obesity pandemic, there has been a revived interest in surgical treatment of morbid obesity, as well as in the application of laparoscopic techniques to bariatric surgery in the last few years.…”

Body Mass Index and Migraine: A Hospital-Based Study in Lahore

“…As per WHO (World Health Organization), since 1975 the prevalence of obesity has been increased threefold worldwide, with number of overweight people in 2016 reaching 1.9 billion. [8] Worldwide, numerous noninfectious diseases (such as cardiovascular diseases, type-II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia and carcinoma) are related to increased BMI. [9] Particularly, general or overall body obesity, according to BMI, has been demonstrated to be associated with headache disorders in various epidemiologic and clinical studies.…”