Acceptance, knowledge, and attitude of family physicians towards obesity as a chronic disease: a multinational cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Obesity was previously perceived to be a lifestyle issue; however, it was declared a chronic disease by the American Medical Association (AMA) in 2013. However, family physician's views and actions toward managing obesity remain ambiguous and occasionally conflicting. This cross-sectional study explores the acceptance and knowledge of 171 family medicine physicians regarding obesity as a chronic disease. Family physicians were recruited through different channels, including members of professional scientific societies of family medicine that belong to the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office EMRO, a publicly available list of United States (US) family physicians, and authors' personal Facebook and LinkedIn connections. Data was collected across various countries through an anonymous online survey. While most participants acknowledged obesity as a chronic condition with multifactorial origins, there was a notable discrepancy in treatment practices compared to other chronic diseases. A dual perspective emerged, as family physicians often emphasized self-responsibility and behavioral change over medical interventions, potentially hindering effective management. Lower initiation rates for obesity management was exhibited compared to other chronic diseases. There is a gap between recognition and effective management of obesity as a chronic disease within family practice. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive obesity education in medical training to bridge knowledge gaps and reduce weight stigma, enabling physicians to provide optimal care for patients with obesity.