The impact of COVID‐19 on obesity services across Europe: A physician survey

Abstract

Summary Obesity is a risk factor for severe complications from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). During the COVID‐19 pandemic in Spring 2020, many clinics and obesity centers across Europe were required to close. This study aimed to determine the impact of COVID‐19 on the provision of obesity services across 10 European countries via a survey of physicians (n = 102) specializing in treating persons with obesity (PwO). In total, 62–95 out of 102 physicians reported that COVID‐19 affected obesity‐related services, with cancellations/suspensions ranging from 50% to 100% across the 10 countries. Approximately 75% of cancellations/suspensions were provider‐ rather than patient‐initiated. A median increase of 20%–25% in waiting times was reported for most services across the countries. When services resume, 87 out of 100 physicians consider factors influencing down‐stream patient outcomes as the most relevant factors for prioritizing interventional treatment. Responses showed that 65 out of 102 and 36 out of 102 physicians believed it (highly) likely that a change in treatment guidance will occur to prioritize earlier interventional treatment for the management of PwO, by either using bariatric surgery or pharmacotherapy, respectively. Results from this study provide important learnings, such as opportunities for, and discrepancies in, the provision of alternative care in light of services cancellations or delays, which may be important for the future management of obesity, especially during future waves of COVID‐19 or other infectious pandemics.

Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Well-being: Comparisons between People with Obesity, with Diabetes and without Diseases

“…found an increase in depressed mood, anxiety/ worry, and loneliness. Unhealthy eating habits, such as snacking, binge eating, and loss of control while eating, increased too [22,23].…”

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Effectiveness of a Metabolic Health Telemedicine Intervention for Weight Loss: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

“…Frequency of on-site face-to-face obesity management services ( 12 , 13 ) and bariatric surgeries were reduced or canceled during the lockdown period ( 13 , 14 ). This further impacted individuals with obesity who were actively seeking treatment for weight loss, those who were already enrolled in a weight loss program, and patients in post-bariatric operative care.…”

Obesity, lifestyle behaviours and psychological effects of the COVID‐19 lockdown: A survey of patients attending a tertiary weight loss clinic

“…The subsequent cancellation of many outpatient weight management services was injudicious given the evidence that obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ) is associated with more severe illness from COVID‐19, as for other respiratory infections such as influenza. 6 The proposed mechanisms include impaired lung function, endothelial dysfunction, immune dysfunction and inflammation. 6 …”

“… 6 The proposed mechanisms include impaired lung function, endothelial dysfunction, immune dysfunction and inflammation. 6 …”

“…Concurrent with lockdown measures, hospital departments were asked to minimize routine care, limit vulnerable people entering the hospital and prepare for an influx of COVID‐19 cases. The subsequent cancellation of many outpatient weight management services was injudicious given the evidence that obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ) is associated with more severe illness from COVID‐19, as for other respiratory infections such as influenza 6 . The proposed mechanisms include impaired lung function, endothelial dysfunction, immune dysfunction and inflammation 6 …”