Obesity is recognized as a chronic disease that often returns after treatment, yet it remains poorly managed in many healthcare settings. Both doctors and patients show limited understanding of obesity, partly due to deep-rooted stigma and weight bias.
This can prevent patients from getting the right, personalized care they need.
Doctors mostly blamed behavioral reasons for obesity, such as overeating (69%), lack of exercise (61%), and a high-fat diet (51%). They were more likely to point to these causes as patients’ obesity became more severe.
For example, 75% of doctors said overeating was the main cause for patients with the highest obesity class.
In contrast, patients also saw behavioral and social reasons as important but gave much more weight to biological causes like genetics-81% of patients mentioned biological factors versus 61% of doctors. Patients ranked genetics as the third leading cause of their obesity, while doctors ranked it seventh.
The study also found differences in treatment goals. Doctors focused on health improvements such as better quality of life, increased mobility, and lower blood pressure.
Patients, however, prioritized how they would look and feel after losing weight, including wanting to feel more confident and fit into smaller clothes.
Dr. Ramos Salas, one of the study’s authors, said doctors can better support patients by focusing on overall health and emotional well-being, not just weight loss. He emphasized the importance of addressing weight stigma to help patients feel accepted and confident, which can improve their access to helpful resources.
This research shows the need for better communication and understanding between patients and healthcare providers to improve obesity treatment and reduce stigma.
Key Points:
Doctors often see obesity mainly as a result of behavior, while patients recognize biological causes more strongly.
Patients care about how weight loss affects their confidence and appearance, while doctors focus on physical health.
Addressing weight bias and stigma is crucial to improving care for people living with obesity.
The study involved 1,379 patients and doctors from seven countries and was presented at the European Congress on Obesity 2025 in Malaga.
This study highlights the importance of bridging the gap between patient and physician views to provide better, more compassionate care for obesity.
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