Trends in Obesity Care Among US Adults, 2010-2021

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Obesity Medicine
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Obesity is a significant cause of mortality in the U.S.
• Clinical guidelines recommend multimodal obesity treatment.
• Emerging therapies may influence patient care-seeking behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze obesity treatment access patterns in the U.S. from 2010 to 2021.
• To identify factors associated with accessing obesity care.
• To understand trends in obesity treatment utilization.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study using Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data (2010-2021).
• Defined clinical eligibility for obesity treatment based on BMI (≥30) or obesity-related healthcare events.
• Primary outcome: proportion of eligible individuals accessing treatment or prescribed obesity medication annually.

Main Results:

• 82,729 individuals were eligible for obesity treatment.
• Overall treatment receipt was 1.6% (1311 participants).
• Prescription rates for obesity treatment increased from 0.3% in 2010 to 1.8% in 2021.
• Female sex, older age, and higher education correlated with increased odds of accessing obesity treatment.

Conclusions:

• Obesity treatment utilization, both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical, rose between 2010 and 2021 but remains low.
• Individuals with lower socioeconomic status had reduced likelihood of receiving treatment.
• Equitable access to novel obesity therapies is crucial as they become more available.