Obesity Severity and Burden of Illness: Perceptions From Physicians and People With Obesity in the UK

Despite the availability of various obesity treatment options, unmet needs in obesity management remain an obstacle to optimal weight management and result in negative impacts on people with obesity (PwO). To improve obesity management, it is important to understand the disease burden experienced by PwO, and the perceptions of obesity held by both PwO and physicians.

To describe the characteristics of PwO, the illness burden and management of obesity and the perceptions of obesity from consulting PwO and their physicians in the United Kingdom.

Data were collected from the Adelphi Real World Obesity Disease Specific Program (DSP) between 10/2023 and 04/2024. PwO were adults on a weight management program with a previous or current obesity diagnosis. Physicians and PwO completed surveys of PwO sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, healthcare resource utilization, work-related activity and productivity impairment, perceptions on the etiology of obesity and PwO's feelings toward weight.

Ninety-four physicians completed surveys on 904 PwO, and 119 of those PwO also completed a survey. Most (88.3%) PwO had ≥ 1 obesity-related complication (ORC). The most common management approaches were diet and exercise. Physician-stated reasons for obesity were diet and behavioral factors, while PwO-stated reasons included aging and genetic predisposition for obesity. PwO reported a work productivity impact due to obesity, and 42.9% reported feeling very bothered about their weight.

Most PwO in the DSP had ≥ 1 ORC. PwO reported negative work-related and emotional impacts due to obesity. Differences in the physician- and PwO-stated reasons for obesity demonstrate misconceptions around obesity etiology.