Gaps in provider lifestyle counseling and its adherence among obese adults with prediabetes and diabetes in the United States

Abstract

Obesity is an epidemic affecting about 40% of the US adult population. Tracking with the obesity epidemic is an increase in the prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes. Both pre-diabetes and diabetes are often coexistent with obesity and contribute to an increased total and cardiovascular disease related morbidity and mortality. Lifestyle modification is usually the first step in management among individuals with obesity and/or pre-diabetes or diabetes, but remains an unfulfilled potential by healthcare providers to promote healthier lifestyles in obese patients. We aimed to describe the current patterns of lifestyle counseling (diet, physical activity, and weight loss) and their adherence by patients with obesity in the US using the National Health Interview Survey, 2016–2017. We analyzed these patterns among individuals with pre-diabetes and diabetes. We found that, regardless of pre-diabetes or diabetes status, almost 1 in 3 individuals with mild obesity (BMI ≥ 30 & < 35) and 1 in 4 with severe obesity (BMI ≥ 35) reported lack of lifestyle counseling from healthcare providers regarding diet or physical activity, and 2 in 3 individuals with any level of obesity reported lack of referral/counsel concerning weight loss programs. Lifestyle counseling and its compliance among obese adults from a contemporary dataset in the US is still suboptimal. This study highlights the gaps in the implementation of the AHA/ACC 2013 guidelines on management of obesity among adults particularly among those with metabolic disease, who would derive the greatest benefit.