ACTION APAC: Understanding perceptions, attitudes and behaviours in obesity and its management across south and Southeast Asia

Abstract

Summary: To identify perceptions and attitudes among people with obesity (PwO) and healthcare professionals (HCPs) toward obesity and its management in nine Asia‐Pacific (APAC) countries, a cross‐sectional online survey was conducted among adult PwO with self‐reported body mass index of ≥25 kg/m 2 (≥27 kg/m 2, Singapore), and HCPs involved in direct patient care. In total, 10 429 PwO and 1901 HCPs completed the survey. Most PwO (68%) and HCPs (84%) agreed that obesity is a disease; however, a significant proportion of PwO (63%) and HCPs (41%) believed weight loss was the complete responsibility of PwO and only 43% of PwO discussed weight with an HCP in the prior 5 years. Most respondents acknowledged that weight loss would be extremely beneficial to PwO's overall health (PwO 76%, HCPs 85%), although nearly half (45%) of PwO misperceived themselves as overweight or of normal weight. Obesity was perceived by PwO (58%) and HCPs (53%) to negatively impact PwO forming romantic relationships. HCPs cited PwOs' lack of interest (41%) and poor motivation (37%) to lose weight as top reasons for not discussing weight. Most PwO (65%) preferred lifestyle changes over medications to lose weight. PwO and HCPs agreed that lack of exercise and unhealthy eating habits were the major barriers to weight loss. Our data highlights a discordance between the understanding of obesity as a disease and the actual behaviour and preferred approaches to manage it among PwO and HCPs. The study addresses a need to align these gaps to deliver optimal care for PwO.