Perceptions of Barriers to Effective Obesity Care: Results from the National ACTION Study
Open accessAbstract
Objective: ACTION (Awareness, Care, and Treatment in Obesity maNagement) examined obesity‐related perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors among people with obesity (PwO), health care providers (HCPs), and employer representatives (ERs). Methods: A total of 3,008 adult PwO (BMI ≥ 30 by self‐reported height and weight), 606 HCPs, and 153 ERs completed surveys in a cross‐sectional design. Results: Despite several weight loss (WL) attempts, only 23% of PwO reported 10% WL during the previous 3 years. Many PwO (65%) recognized obesity as a disease, but only 54% worried their weight may affect future health. Most PwO (82%) felt “completely” responsible for WL; 72% of HCPs felt responsible for contributing to WL efforts; few ERs (18%) felt even partially responsible. Only 50% of PwO saw themselves as “obese,” and 55% reported receiving a formal diagnosis of obesity. Despite HCPs' reported comfort with weight‐related conversations, time constraints deprioritized these efforts. Only 24% of PwO had a scheduled follow‐up to initial weight‐related conversations. Few PwO (17%) perceived employer‐sponsored wellness offerings as helpful in supporting WL. Conclusions: Although generally perceived as a disease, obesity is not commonly treated as such. Divergence in perceptions and attitudes potentially hinders better management. This study highlights inconsistent understanding of the impact of obesity and need for both self‐directed and medical management.
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A belief held by most people with obesity is that weight loss is their responsibility.
“A belief held by most people with obesity is that weight loss is their responsibility.57”
From Definition and diagnostic criteria of clinical obesity (2025) · cites this paper as [57]
Research surveys suggest that only about half of people with obesity believe that an individual's weight could negatively affect future health, considerably fewer than reported by health-care professionals.
“Research surveys also suggest that only about half of people with obesity believe that an individual’s weight could negatively affect future health, considerably fewer than reported by health-care professionals.57”
From Definition and diagnostic criteria of clinical obesity (2025) · cites this paper as [57]
This belief could contribute to delays in seeking medical care for obesity.
“This view could contribute to delays in seeking medical care for obesity.57,58”
From Definition and diagnostic criteria of clinical obesity (2025) · cites this paper as [57]
When ascertaining perceived treatment effectiveness, lifestyle interventions are considered more useful than medical management among people with obesity.
“When ascertaining perceived treatment effectiveness, lifestyle interventions (eg, healthy eating and physical activity) are considered more useful than medical management among people with obesity.57”
From Definition and diagnostic criteria of clinical obesity (2025) · cites this paper as [57]
People with obesity report not initiating conversations about their weight primarily because they believe weight management is their own responsibility and they already know what is needed to be successful.
“People with obesity report not initiating conversations about their weight primarily because of the belief that weight management is their own responsibility and that they already know what is needed to be successful.57”
From Definition and diagnostic criteria of clinical obesity (2025) · cites this paper as [57]
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References 22 · Cited by 312
- Authors
- Kaplan, L. M., Golden, A., Jinnett, K., Kolotkin, R. L., Kyle, T. K., Look, M., Nadglowski, J., O'Neil, P. M., Parry, T., Tomaszewski, K. J., Stevenin, B., Lilleøre, S. K., & Dhurandhar, N. V.
- Affiliations
- Massachusetts General Hospital (US)
- NP from Home, LLC Munds Park Arizona USA
- Integrated Benefits Institute San Francisco California USA
- Quality of Life Consulting Durham North Carolina USA
- ConscienHealth Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
- Family Health Centers of San Diego (US)
- American Association of Kidney Patients (US)
- Medical University of South Carolina (US)
- KJT Group, Inc. Honeoye Falls New York USA
- Novo Nordisk (United States) (US)
- Novo Nordisk (Denmark) (DK)
- Texas Tech University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Kaplan, Lee M.
- ORCID
- Venue
- Obesity
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2017-10-31
- Volume
- 26
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 61-69
- ISSN
- 1930-7381 (ISSN-L)
- 1930-739X
- OpenAlex
- W2766424213
- Cited by
- 312
- References
- 22
- Citations by year
- 2026: 27 · 2025: 38 · 2024: 45 · 2023: 44 · 2022: 30 · 2021: 47 · 2020: 42 · 2019: 23 · 2018: 15
- FWCI
- 47.74
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Obesity (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Novo Nordisk
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Obesity and Health Practices
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
- Keywords
- obesity care, clinician attitudes, employer wellness programs, weight loss, obesity as a disease, weight stigma, employer representatives
- MeSH terms
- Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Obesity
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