Addressing the obesity challenge: A model for personalized management in primary care

Primary care practitioners (PCPs) play a critical role in the management of persons living with obesity (PwOs). PCPs are often involved in all phases of the PwO's journey, from diagnosis to follow-up. There are constraints that preclude PwOs from deriving maximum benefits from their interaction with PCPs: time paucity, disalignment, lack of communication, stigma. Strategies to place PwOs at the center of value-based care should contribute to overcoming these drawbacks. Specific recommendations are detailed to guide PCPs in their daily practice and a roadmap is outlined to guide the journey of PwOs while in the primary care setting. The model is inspired by Obesity Canada's 5As of Obesity Management, which helped us to design a well-arranged visitation plan. PwOs' opinion is always considered. Decisions regarding lifestyle and pharmacological treatment are jointly shared. These recommendations could lead to a better use of the resources available to PCPs while increasing PwOs' well-being.