Breaking the Silence on Obesity

Overview

Journal Am J Lifestyle Med

Publisher Sage Publications

Date 2025 Jan 13

PMID 39802904

Authors

Aliye B Cepni

Fatima K Nadeem

Tracey A Ledoux

Craig A Johnston

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Obesity is a significant global public health concern, and health care providers play a crucial role in addressing it by offering healthy lifestyle counseling and weight management support. Evidence demonstrates that even brief counseling on healthy behaviors can lead to meaningful changes and sustained weight management. However, weight consultations are often underutilized in primary care due to various barriers, including biases against patients with obesity, misconception of physicians with obesity, or concerns about stigmatizing them by initiating discussions about weight. This paper explores the impact of biases, misconceptions, and stigma on the communication and treatment of patients with obesity and proposes strategies to overcome these challenges. Practical solutions include fostering inclusive health care environments for individuals of all body sizes and utilizing the 5A model (Ask, Assess, Advise, Agree, Assist) to guide respectful and effective weight management conversations.

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