Work

Perceptions, attitudes, and practices influencing management of obesity in Ireland–The Awareness, Care and Treatment in Obesity maNagement, (ACTION) Ireland study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Data is lacking comparing perceptions of people living with obesity (PWO) and health care professionals (HCPs) towards obesity management in Ireland, where 30 % of the population live with obesity. The ACTION-Ireland study aimed to explore perceptions, attitudes, practices, and barriers to effective obesity management in Ireland, using data from PWO and HCPs comparable to international data sets. This was a cross-sectional online survey conducted among adults living with BMI ≥30 kg/m 2 and HCPs managing PWO. A total of 504 PWO and 159 HCPs completed the survey (August–December 2024). Most PWO (75 %) and almost all HCPs (98 %) believe obesity is a chronic disease. While 86 % of HCPs believe they have responsibility to support PWO, 82 % of PWO believe they are completely responsible for weight management. PWO waited on average eight years (SD 9.7) from first weight concern to first weight discussion with their HCP. HCPs most initiated obesity conversations when the patient had (70 %) or were at risk of (63 %) obesity complications. Lifestyle interventions were most frequently discussed and recommended by HCPs (physical activity 72 %, diet 67 %), while fewer recommended prescription medication (34 %), referral to obesity specialists (23 %) or for bariatric surgery (24 %). Although 88 % of PWO had attempted weight loss, only 10 % used prescription medication, 4 % visited an obesity specialist, and 2–4 % had bariatric surgery. Many HCPs expressed concern about obesity medication; side effects (60 %), long term safety (48 %), lack of knowledge (46 %), cost (79 %), and preference for lifestyle changes (35 %). Importantly, 81 % of HCPs believe society and the healthcare system are not meeting PWO needs. Despite strong consensus that obesity is a disease, disparities remain regarding treatment of and responsibility for obesity management. This dataset highlights opportunities to improve education, management and system level support while identifying inequities and barriers in obesity care. • First Irish dataset representative of people living with obesity (PWO) and a multidisciplinary healthcare professionals (HCPs). • People with obesity and HCPs acknowledge the disease of obesity but management is not aligned to disease models of care. • Most people living with obesity feel responsible to self-manage their disease with low uptake of evidence-based treatments. • HCPs hesitate to initiate obesity conversations, discuss treatments or refer to specialists, instead revert to generic lifestyle interventions. • Clinical upskilling in contemporary obesity care is vital to enable empathetic evidence-based care for people with obesity.

Source: Obesity Pillars

DOI: 10.1016/j.obpill.2025.100231