Abstract
BackgroundObesity is one of the most common and relevant health problems in need of urgent action in Germany. General practitioners (GPs) are the initial contact and thus one of the most important starting points for the successful treatment of overweight and obesity. The aim of the study was to assess the treatment practice and attitudes towards patients with obesity in primary health care in Germany.MethodsAnalyses were based on baseline data of the INTERACT trial of 47 GPs in central Germany. Stigmatizing attitudes were identified using the Fat Phobia Scale (FPS). In addition, questionnaires including sociodemographic information, attribution of causes of obesity, referral behavior and clinical activities were completed. Statistical investigations include descriptive analysis, principal component analysis, inference statistics and linear regression models.ResultsGPs rated the quality of medical care for patients with obesity in Germany as below average. The FPS score revealed a value of 3.70, showing that GPs’ attitudes towards patients with obesity are stigmatizing. Younger GP age, male gender and a lower number of referrals to specialists were associated with higher levels of stigmatizing attitudes.ConclusionWeight-related stigmatization has an impact on medical treatment. Obesity management guides would help to increase knowledge and reduce weight-related stigmatization in primary care, thereby improving medical care for obese and overweight patients.
Highlights
Obesity is one of the most common and relevant health problems in need of urgent action in Germany
General Practitioners (GP) referral and counseling behavior GPs reported the mean percentage of patients with obesity in their practices per month as almost one-third (28.5%)
They further reported the mean number of patients who were referred to specialists by their GPs in the last 12 months at 28
Summary
The aim of the study was to assess the treatment practice and attitudes towards patients with obesity in primary health care in Germany. Is obesity highly prevalent, it is Schwenke et al BMC Family Practice (2020) 21:169 lack of time and resources. Their own negative attitudes towards patients with obesity and a lack of selfefficacy are relevant [6,7,8]. There have been some studies in Germany about stigmatizing attitudes in the general population [11, 12] and health care providers [13], as well as surveys about treatment of obesity [14,15,16]. Studies examining the link between attitudes and treatment practice in primary health care are rare
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