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Cited by 744Obesity and Health PracticesObesity, Physical Activity, DietEating Disorders and Behaviors

Primary Care Physicians’ Attitudes about Obesity and Its Treatment

Foster, Gary D., Wadden, Thomas A., Makris, Angela P., Davidson, Duncan, Sanderson, Rebecca Swain, Allison, David B., Kessler, Amy·2003·Obesity Research
DOI 10.1038/oby.2003.161
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Abstract

Objective This study was designed to assess physicians' attitudes toward obese patients and the causes and treatment of obesity. Research methods and procedures A questionnaire assessed attitudes in 2 geographically representative national random samples of 5000 primary care physicians. In one sample (N = 2500), obesity was defined as a BMI of 30 to 40 kg/m(2), and in the other (N = 2500), obesity was defined as a BMI > 40. Results Six hundred twenty physicians responded. They rated physical inactivity as significantly more important than any other cause of obesity (p Discussion Primary care physicians view obesity as largely a behavioral problem and share our broader society's negative stereotypes about the personal attributes of obese persons. Practitioners are realistic about treatment outcomes but view obesity treatment as less effective than treatment of most other chronic conditions.

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Crossref · 10.1038/oby.2003.161

Cites

7 of 7 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Insufficient time, lack of knowledge, training or confidence and inadequate materials are major barriers to health professionals giving weight loss advice.

    “with insufficient time, lack of knowledge, training or confidence and inadequate materials reported to be major barriers.12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18”

    From A brief intervention for weight control based on habit-formation theory delivered through primary care: results from a randomised controlled trial (2017) · cites this paper as [17]

  • In that survey, respondents stated that the treatment of obesity was less effective than for nine of ten other chronic conditions.

    “Moreover, those who responded stated that the treatment of obesity was less effective than for nine of ten other chronic conditions.”

    From Definition and diagnostic criteria of clinical obesity (2025) · cites this paper as [64]

  • In that survey, the majority (75%) of physicians felt that a 10% weight reduction was sufficient to improve obesity-related health complications, but claimed that insufficient reimbursement limited their ability to treat obesity adequately.

    “The majority (75%) of physicians felt that a 10% weight reduction was sufficient to improve obesity-related health complications, but claimed that insufficient reimbursement limited their ability to treat obesity adequately.”

    From Definition and diagnostic criteria of clinical obesity (2025) · cites this paper as [64]

  • In Foster and colleagues' 2003 survey, physical inactivity was listed by responders as the most salient cause for obesity, although overeating and a high-fat diet were considered important.

    “Although overeating and a high-fat diet were considered important, physical inactivity was listed by responders as the most salient cause for obesity.”

    From Definition and diagnostic criteria of clinical obesity (2025) · cites this paper as [64]

  • In that survey, patients living with obesity were described as unattractive, awkward, and non-compliant.

    “Patients living with obesity were described as unattractive, awkward, and non-compliant.”

    From Definition and diagnostic criteria of clinical obesity (2025) · cites this paper as [64]

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Authors
Foster, G. D., Wadden, T. A., Makris, A. P., Davidson, D., Sanderson, R. S., Allison, D. B., & Kessler, A.
Affiliations
  • University of Pennsylvania (US)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham (US)
  • Northwestern Memorial Hospital (US)
Corresponding author
Foster, Gary D.
ORCID
Venue
Obesity Research
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2003-10
Volume
11
Issue
10
Pages
1168-1177
ISSN
  • 1071-7323 (ISSN-L)
  • 1550-8528
DOI
10.1038/oby.2003.161
OpenAlex
W2126786225
Cited by
744
References
7
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 23 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 48 · 2020: 41 · 2019: 48 · 2018: 32 · 2017: 29 · 2016: 47 · 2015: 53 · 2014: 48 · 2013: 48 · 2012: 34
FWCI
49.37
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 3263 d)
Locations
  • Obesity Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (5r01dk056114-05)
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R01 DK56114, P30DK056336)
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
physician attitudes, obesity, primary care physicians, obesity treatment, weight loss, physical inactivity, overeating, high-fat diet
MeSH terms
Adult, Attitude of Health Personnel, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Obesity, Physicians, Family, Pilot Projects, Surveys and Questionnaires, Weight Loss

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