Patient perception matters in weight management.

Area of Science:

• Obesity Medicine
• Patient-Provider Communication
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Physician communication about weight is crucial for patient engagement.
• Patient perceptions of provider support influence weight management efforts.
• Body Mass Index (BMI) may affect patient responses to weight-related discussions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between patient Body Mass Index (BMI) and their perceptions of physician communication regarding weight.
• To assess how physician feedback on weight status influences patient self-perception and motivation for weight loss.
• To explore the association between BMI and weight management goals and perceived timelines.

Main Methods:

• Survey of 471 patients collecting self-reported weight, height, and perceptions of provider support.
• Multivariable analysis to examine associations between BMI and patient-reported outcomes.
• Statistical analysis of odds ratios (OR) and p-values to determine significance.

Main Results:

• Higher BMI correlated with increased likelihood of being told by a physician they are overweight (OR=3.49).
• Physician feedback was less effective in altering self-perception (OR=0.62) or motivating weight loss (OR=0.67) in individuals with higher BMI.
• Higher BMI was linked to more ambitious weight-loss goals but also longer perceived time to achieve them.

Conclusions:

• Physician communication about weight is important, but its impact varies significantly with patient BMI.
• Weight management interventions and support should be individualized, considering the patient's specific BMI.
• Tailored approaches are necessary to effectively address barriers and identify resources for diverse patient populations.