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Cited by 86Obesity and Health PracticesObesity, Physical Activity, DietBariatric Surgery and Outcomes

Perceptions of barriers to effective obesity management in Canada: Results from the ACTION study

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Sharma, Arya M., Bélanger, André, Carson, Veronica, Krah, Jodi, Langlois, Marie‐France, Lawlor, Diana, Lepage, Suzanne, Liu, Aiden +6 more·2019·Clinical Obesity
DOI 10.1111/cob.12329PMC PMC6771494
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Abstract

Summary: Obesity is a chronic disease with a significant and growing impact on Canadians. The “Awareness, Care and Treatment In Obesity MaNagement” (ACTION) Study investigated perceptions, attitudes and perceived barriers to obesity management among Canadian people with obesity (PwO), healthcare providers (HCPs) and employers. In this study adult PwO (body mass index ≥30 kg/m 2 , based on self‐reported height/weight), HCPs (physicians and allied HCPs managing PwO) and employers (≥20 employees; offering health insurance), completed online surveys between 3 August and 11 October 2017 in a cross‐sectional design. Survey respondents (N = 2545) included 2000 PwO, 395 HCPs and 150 employers. Obesity was viewed as a “chronic medical condition” by most PwO (60%), HCPs (94%) and employers (71%) and deemed to have a large impact on overall health (74%, 78%, 81%, respectively). Many PwO (74%) believed weight management was their own responsibility. While PwO (55%) reportedly knew how to manage their weight, only 10% reported maintaining ≥10% weight reduction for >1 year. Despite low success rates, the most commonly reported effective long‐term weight loss methods tried and/or recommended were “improvements in eating habits” (PwO 38%; HCP 63%) and “being more active” (PwO 39%; HCP 54%). PwO and HCPs reported very different perceptions of the quality and content of their interaction during obesity management discussions. These findings highlight the communication gaps and misunderstanding between PwO, HCPs and employers. This underscores the importance of, and need for, evidence‐based management of obesity and a collaborative approach and understanding of the complex nature of this chronic disease.

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  • In one study of 2545 participants in Canada, only 28% of people with obesity reported that a follow-up appointment was scheduled.

    “In one study of 2545 participants in Canada, only 28% of people with obesity reported that a follow-up appointment was scheduled.58”

    From Definition and diagnostic criteria of clinical obesity (2025) · cites this paper as [58]

    The Results (People with obesity–healthcare provider relationship; page not provided) report that 28% of people with obesity who had discussed weight with a healthcare provider said a weight-related follow-up appointment or call was scheduled—not 28% of all people with obesity surveyed. The Participants table (page not provided) gives 2,545 total participants, including 2,000 people with obesity. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • 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 [58]

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Authors
Sharma, A. M., Bélanger, A., Carson, V., Krah, J., Langlois, M., Lawlor, D., Lepage, S., Liu, A., Macklin, D. A., MacKay, N., Pakseresht, A., Pedersen, S. D., Ramos Salas, X., & Vallis, M.
Affiliations
  • University of Alberta (CA)
  • Le Groupe de Médecine Familiale Valcartier Courceiette Quebec Canada
  • Novo Nordisk Canada (Canada) (CA)
  • Obesity Canada Niagara Region Ontario Canada
  • Université de Sherbrooke (CA)
  • Obesity and Bariatric Surgery Halifax Nova Scotia Canada
  • Private Health Plan Strategist Kitchener Ontario Canada
  • University of Toronto (CA)
  • Cowan Insurance Group Brantford Ontario Canada
  • C‐ENDO Diabetes and Endocrinology Clinic Calgary Alberta Canada
  • Obesity Canada Edmonton Alberta Canada
  • Dalhousie University (CA)
Corresponding author
Sharma, Arya M.
ORCID
Venue
Clinical Obesity
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2019-07-11
Volume
9
Issue
5
Pages
e12329-e12329
ISSN
  • 1758-8103 (ISSN-L)
  • 1758-8111
DOI
10.1111/cob.12329
PMC
PMC6771494
OpenAlex
W2957084979
Cited by
86
References
4
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 1
FWCI
13.46
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Clinical Obesity (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • 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
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Bariatric Surgery and Outcomes
Keywords
obesity treatment, barriers to weight loss, healthcare workers, employers, patient-provider communication, long-term weight loss, dietary habits, physical activity, ACTION study
MeSH terms
Intersectoral Collaboration, Obesity Management, Adult, Attitude to Health, Canada, Communication, Cross-Sectional Studies, Diet, Reducing, Employment, Feeding Behavior, Female, Health Personnel, Health Status, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Obesity, Perception, Surveys and Questionnaires, Weight Loss, Exercise, Treatment Outcome

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