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Laddu D, Neeland IJ, Carnethon M, Stanford FC, Mongraw-Chaffin M, Barone Gibbs B, Ndumele CE, Longenecker CT, Chung ML, Rao G. Implementation of Obesity Science Into Clinical Practice: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation 2024; 150:e7-e19. [PMID: 38766861 DOI: 10.1161/cir.0000000000001221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Obesity is a recognized public health epidemic with a prevalence that continues to increase dramatically in nearly all populations, impeding progress in reducing incidence rates of cardiovascular disease. Over the past decade, obesity science has evolved to improve knowledge of its multifactorial causes, identifying important biological causes and sociological determinants of obesity. Treatments for obesity have also continued to develop, with more evidence-based programs for lifestyle modification, new pharmacotherapies, and robust data to support bariatric surgery. Despite these advancements, there continues to be a substantial gap between the scientific evidence and the implementation of research into clinical practice for effective obesity management. Addressing barriers to obesity science implementation requires adopting feasible methodologies and targeting multiple levels (eg, clinician, community, system, policy) to facilitate the delivery of obesity-targeted therapies and maximize the effectiveness of guideline-driven care to at-need patient populations. This scientific statement (1) describes strategies shown to be effective or promising for enhancing translation and clinical application of obesity-based research; (2) identifies key gaps in the implementation of obesity science into clinical practice; and (3) provides guidance and resources for health care professionals, health care systems, and other stakeholders to promote broader implementation and uptake of obesity science for improved population-level obesity management. In addition, advances in implementation science that hold promise to bridge the know-do gap in obesity prevention and treatment are discussed. Last, this scientific statement highlights implications for health research policy and future research to improve patient care models and optimize the delivery and sustainability of equitable obesity-related care.
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Almazan E, Schwartz JL, Gudzune KA. Use of medications associated with weight change among participants in the All of Us research programme. Clin Obes 2023; 13:e12609. [PMID: 37455380 PMCID: PMC10528729 DOI: 10.1111/cob.12609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Our objective was to describe the use of medications associated with weight change among US adults with overweight/obesity, including anti-obesity medications (AOMs), weight-loss-promoting and weight-gain-promoting medications. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of data from the nationwide All of Us Research Programme. We included adults with measured body mass index (BMI) ≥ 27 kg/m2 enrolled between 2018 and 2022 across the United States. We used linked electronic health record data to determine medication use ±12 months of BMI measure. Our 132 057 participants had mean age 54 years and mean BMI 34 kg/m2 ; 60% of participants were women, 62% White, and 32% Black. Only 1% used any AOM, and 14% used at least one weight-loss-promoting medication. We found that 36% used at least one weight-gain-promoting medication, and approximately 20% used multiple weight-gain-promoting medications. While AOMs are underutilized by participants with overweight/obesity, weight-gain-promoting medication use is common. Our results raise concern about potential iatrogenic weight gain from medications. Future research is needed to estimate the long-term effect of weight-gain-promoting medications on weight status and determine whether weight-loss benefits occur with their discontinuation. Clinician education on AOMs and weight-loss-promoting medications may be needed to increase their use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Almazan
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Kimberly A. Gudzune
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Johns Hopkins Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology, and Clinical Research, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Rathomi HS, Dale T, Mavaddat N, Thompson SC. General Practitioners' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Dietary Advice for Weight Control in Their Overweight Patients: A Scoping Review. Nutrients 2023; 15:2920. [PMID: 37447247 PMCID: PMC10346254 DOI: 10.3390/nu15132920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This scoping review assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of general practitioners (GPs) regarding dietary advice for weight management. A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and MEDLINE was conducted for any qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies published in the past five years that informed GPs' dietary advice for weight control. Thirteen studies were included in the analysis after screening 881 papers. These studies tended to focus mostly on GPs' practices rather than their knowledge and attitudes. The most frequently mentioned dietary advice was to reduce calorie intake; however, 32 different types of dietary advice were identified in the literature, including approaches such as intermittent fasting and a ketogenic diet that are not recommended in current guidelines. GPs showed varying levels of knowledge and attitudes regarding the best dietary advice for patients. Further research is needed to better understand GP perspectives, with efforts to assist GPs in providing tailored advice based on the latest evidence to improve patient outcomes required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilmi S. Rathomi
- School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Islam Bandung, Bandung 40116, Indonesia
- Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, University of Western Australia, Geraldton, WA 6530, Australia
| | - Tanya Dale
- Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, University of Western Australia, Geraldton, WA 6530, Australia
| | - Nahal Mavaddat
- UWA Medical School, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Sandra C. Thompson
- Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, University of Western Australia, Geraldton, WA 6530, Australia
- School of Allied Health, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
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Fitch A, Horn DB, Still CD, Alexander LC, Christensen S, Pennings N, Bays HE. Obesity medicine as a subspecialty and United States certification - A review. OBESITY PILLARS (ONLINE) 2023; 6:100062. [PMID: 37990658 PMCID: PMC10661990 DOI: 10.1016/j.obpill.2023.100062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Background Certification of obesity medicine for physicians in the United States occurs mainly via the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM). Obesity medicine is not recognized as a subspecialty by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). This review examines the value of specialization, status of current ABOM Diplomates, governing bodies involved in ABMS/AOA Board Certification, and the advantages and disadvantages of an ABMS/AOA recognized obesity medicine subspecialty. Methods Data for this review were derived from PubMed and appliable websites. Content was driven by the expertise, insights, and perspectives of the authors. Results The existing ABOM obesity medicine certification process has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of Obesity Medicine Diplomates. If ABMS/AOA were to recognize obesity medicine as a subspecialty under an existing ABMS Member Board, then Obesity Medicine would achieve a status like other ABMS recognized subspecialities. However, the transition of ABOM Diplomates to ABMS recognized subspecialists may affect the kinds and the number of physicians having an acknowledged focus on obesity medicine care. Among transition issues to consider include: (1) How many ABMS Member Boards would oversee Obesity Medicine as a subspecialty and which physicians would be eligible? (2) Would current ABOM Diplomates be required to complete an Obesity Medicine Fellowship? If not, then what would be the process for a current ABOM Diplomate to transition to an ABMS-recognized Obesity Medicine subspecialist (i.e., "grandfathering criteria")? and (3) According to the ABMS, do enough Obesity Medicine Fellowship programs exist to recognize Obesity Medicine as a subspecialty? Conclusions Decisions regarding a transition to an ABMS recognized Obesity Medicine Subspecialty versus retention of the current ABOM Diplomate Certification should consider which best facilitates medical access and care to patients with obesity, and which best helps obesity medicine clinicians be recognized for their expertise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Fitch
- Diplomate of American Board of Obesity Medicine, Knownwell, 15 Oak St Suite 3, Needham, MA, 02492, USA
| | - Deborah B. Horn
- Diplomate of American Board of Obesity Medicine, UT Center for Obesity Medicine and Metabolic Performance, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, 6348 Sewanee Ave, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
| | - Christopher D. Still
- Diplomate of American Board of Obesity Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Center for Nutrition & Weight Management, Geisinger Obesity Institute, Geisinger Health System, 100 North Academy Avenue, MC 21-11, USA
| | - Lydia C. Alexander
- Diplomate of American Board of Obesity Medicine, Enara Health, 3050 S. Delaware Street, Suite 130, San Mateo, CA, 94403, USA
| | - Sandra Christensen
- Certificate of Advanced Education in Obesity Medicine, Integrative Medical Weight Management, 2611 NE 125th St, Suite 100B, Seattle, WA, 98125, USA
| | - Nicholas Pennings
- Diplomate of American Board of Obesity Medicine, Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine, 4350 US Hwy 421 S, Lillington, NC, 27546, USA
| | - Harold Edward Bays
- Diplomate of American Board of Obesity Medicine, Louisville Metabolic and Atherosclerosis Research Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, 3288 Illinois Avenue, Louisville, KY, 40213, USA
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Washington TB, Johnson VR, Kendrick K, Ibrahim AA, Tu L, Sun K, Stanford FC. Disparities in Access and Quality of Obesity Care. Gastroenterol Clin North Am 2023; 52:429-441. [PMID: 37197884 DOI: 10.1016/j.gtc.2023.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is a chronic disease and a significant public health threat predicated on complex genetic, psychological, and environmental factors. Individuals with higher body mass index are more likely to avoid health care due to weight stigma. Disparities in obesity care disproportionately impact racial and ethnic minorities. In addition to this unequal disease burden, access to obesity treatment varies significantly. Even if treatment options are theoretically productive, they may be more difficult for low-income families, and racial and ethnic minorities to implement in practice secondary to socioeconomic factors. Lastly, the outcomes of undertreatment are significant. Disparities in obesity foreshadow integral inequality in health outcomes, including disability, and premature mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Veronica R Johnson
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Karla Kendrick
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Awab Ali Ibrahim
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Lucy Tu
- Department of Sociology, Harvard College, 33 Kirkland Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard College, 33 Kirkland Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Kristen Sun
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Fatima Cody Stanford
- Department of Medicine- Neuroendocrine Unit, Pediatric Endocrinology, MGH Weight Center, Nutrition Obesity Research Center at Harvard, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 50 Staniford Street, Suite 430, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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Brittan D. Letter to the Editor of Obesity Pillars from the American Board of Obesity Medicine. OBESITY PILLARS (ONLINE) 2023; 6:100064. [PMID: 37990656 PMCID: PMC10661882 DOI: 10.1016/j.obpill.2023.100064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dana Brittan
- American Board of Obesity Medicine, Denver, CO, USA
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Oshman L, Othman A, Furst W, Heisler M, Kraftson A, Zouani Y, Hershey C, Cho TC, Guetterman T, Piatt G, Griauzde DH. Primary care providers' perceived barriers to obesity treatment and opportunities for improvement: A mixed methods study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0284474. [PMID: 37071660 PMCID: PMC10112804 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary care patients with obesity seldom receive effective weight management treatment in primary care settings. This study aims to understand PCPs' perspectives on obesity treatment barriers and opportunities to overcome them. STUDY DESIGN This is an explanatory sequential mixed methods study in which survey data was collected and used to inform subsequent qualitative interviews. SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS PCPs who provide care to adult patients in an academic medical center in the Midwestern US. METHODOLOGY PCPs (n = 350) were invited by email to participate in an online survey. PCPs were subsequently invited to participate in semi-structured interviews to further explore survey domains. ANALYTIC APPROACH Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Interviews were analyzed using directed content analysis. RESULTS Among 107 survey respondents, less than 10% (n = 8) used evidence-based guidelines to inform obesity treatment decisions. PCPs' identified opportunities to improve obesity treatment including (1) education on local obesity treatment resources (n = 78, 73%), evidence-based dietary counseling strategies (n = 67, 63%), and effective self-help resources (n = 75, 70%) and (2) enhanced team-based care with support from clinic staff (n = 53, 46%), peers trained in obesity medicine (n = 47, 44%), and dietitians (n = 58, 54%). PCPs also desired increased reimbursement for obesity treatment. While 40% (n = 39) of survey respondents expressed interest in obesity medicine training and certification through the American Board of Obesity Medicine, qualitative interviewees felt that pursuing training would require dedicated time (i.e., reduced clinical effort) and financial support. CONCLUSIONS Opportunities to improve obesity treatment in primary care settings include educational initiatives, use of team-based care models, and policy changes to incentivize obesity treatment. Primary care clinics or health systems should be encouraged to identify PCPs with specific interests in obesity medicine and support their training and certification through ABOM by reimbursing training costs and reducing clinical effort to allow for study and board examination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Oshman
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Amal Othman
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Wendy Furst
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Michele Heisler
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Andrew Kraftson
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Yousra Zouani
- College of Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Cheryl Hershey
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Tsai-Chin Cho
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Timothy Guetterman
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Gretchen Piatt
- Department of Learning Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Dina H. Griauzde
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
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Developing weight navigation program to support personalized and effective obesity management in primary care settings: protocol for a quality improvement program with an embedded single-arm pilot study. Prim Health Care Res Dev 2022; 23:e14. [PMID: 35234116 PMCID: PMC8919179 DOI: 10.1017/s1463423621000906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary care providers (PCPs) are expected to help patients with obesity to lose weight through behavior change counseling and patient-centered use of available weight management resources. Yet, many PCPs face knowledge gaps and clinical time constraints that hinder their ability to successfully support patients' weight loss. Fortunately, a small and growing number of physicians are now certified in obesity medicine through the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) and can provide personalized and effective obesity treatment to individual patients. Little is known, however, about how to extend the expertise of ABOM-certified physicians to support PCPs and their many patients with obesity. AIM To develop and pilot test an innovative care model - the Weight Navigation Program (WNP) - to integrate ABOM-certified physicians into primary care settings and to enhance the delivery of personalized, effective obesity care. METHODS Quality improvement program with an embedded, 12-month, single-arm pilot study. Patients with obesity and ≥1 weight-related co-morbidity may be referred to the WNP by PCPs. All patients seen within the WNP during the first 12 months of clinical operations will be compared to a matched cohort of patients from another primary care site. We will recruit a subset of WNP patients (n = 30) to participate in a remote weight monitoring pilot program, which will include surveys at 0, 6, and 12 months, qualitative interviews at 0 and 6 months, and use of an electronic health record (EHR)-based text messaging program for remote weight monitoring. DISCUSSION Obesity is a complex chronic condition that requires evidence-based, personalized, and longitudinal care. To deliver such care in general practice, the WNP leverages the expertise of ABOM-certified physicians, health system and community weight management resources, and EHR-based population health management tools. The WNP is an innovative model with the potential to be implemented, scaled, and sustained in diverse primary care settings.
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Geography and equity: expanding access to obesity medicine diplomate care. Int J Obes (Lond) 2022; 46:447-448. [PMID: 34992241 PMCID: PMC9908424 DOI: 10.1038/s41366-021-01044-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Pollack CC, Onega T, Emond JA, Vosoughi S, O'Malley AJ, McClure AC, Rothstein RI, Gilbert-Diamond D. A national evaluation of geographic accessibility and provider availability of obesity medicine diplomates in the United States between 2011 and 2019. Int J Obes (Lond) 2022; 46:669-675. [PMID: 34992242 PMCID: PMC8881297 DOI: 10.1038/s41366-021-01024-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Obesity is a pressing health concern within the United States (US). Obesity medicine "diplomates" receive specialized training, yet it is unclear if their accessibility and availability adequately serves the need. The purpose of this research was to understand how accessibility has evolved over time and assess the practicality of serving an estimated patient population with the current distribution and quantity of diplomates. METHODS Population-weighted Census tracts in US counties were mapped to the nearest facility on a road network with at least one diplomate who specialized in adult (including geriatric) care between 2011 and 2019. The median travel time for all Census tracts within a county represented the primary geographic access measure. Availability was assessed by estimating the number of diplomates per 100 000 patients with obesity and the number of facilities able to serve assigned patients under three clinical guidelines. RESULTS Of the 3371 diplomates certified since 2019, 3036 were included. The median travel time (weighted for county population) fell from 28.5 min [IQR: 13.7, 68.1] in 2011 to 9.95 min [IQR: 7.49, 18.1] in 2019. There were distinct intra- and inter-year travel time variations by race, ethnicity, education, median household income, rurality, and Census region (all P < 0.001). The median number of diplomates per 100 000 with obesity grew from 1 [IQR: 0.39, 1.59] in 2011 to 5 [IQR: 2.74, 11.4] in 2019. In 2019, an estimated 1.7% of facilities could meet the recommended number of visits for all mapped patients with obesity, up from 0% in 2011. CONCLUSIONS Diplomate geographic access and availability have improved over time, yet there is still not a high enough supply to serve the potential patient demand. Future studies should quantify patient-level associations between travel time and health outcomes, including whether the number of available diplomates impacts utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine C Pollack
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA.
| | - Tracy Onega
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jennifer A Emond
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Soroush Vosoughi
- Department of Computer Science, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - A James O'Malley
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Auden C McClure
- Department of Pediatrics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Hanover, NH, USA
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Weight and Wellness Center, Department of Medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Richard I Rothstein
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Weight and Wellness Center, Department of Medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA
- Department of Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Diane Gilbert-Diamond
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Weight and Wellness Center, Department of Medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA
- Department of Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
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Attitudes, Perceptions, and Practices in Managing Obesity Among Endocrinologists. Endocr Pract 2021; 28:179-184. [PMID: 34748965 DOI: 10.1016/j.eprac.2021.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Obesity is globally recognized as a critically important disease by professional medical organizations in addition to the World Health Organization and American Medical Association, but the health care systems, medical teams, and the public have been slow to embrace this concept. METHODS American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) staff drafted the survey, and two endocrinologists independently reviewed the survey questions and modified the survey instrument. The survey included inquiries related to practice and patient demographics, awareness of obesity, treatment of obesity, barriers to improving obesity outcomes, digital health, cognitive behavioral therapy, lifestyle medicine, anti-obesity medications, weight stigma, and social determinants of health. The survey was emailed to 493 endocrinologists, with 305 completing the study (62%). RESULTS Ninety-eight percent of the responders agree that obesity is a disease, while 2% neither agree nor disagree. 53% of respondents are familiar with the term "adiposity-based chronic disease." 13% of the respondents are certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM). 57% of the respondents use published obesity guidelines as a resource for treating patients with obesity. Most endocrinologists recommend dietary and lifestyle changes, but fewer prescribe anti-obesity medication (AOM) or recommend bariatric surgery. ABOM-certified endocrinologists are more likely to use a multidisciplinary approach. CONCLUSION Self-reported knowledge and practices in the management of obesity highlight the importance of a multimodal approach to obesity and foster collaboration among healthcare professionals. It is necessary to raise awareness about obesity among clinicians, identify knowledge gaps and create educational tools to address those gaps.
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