ERCEPTIONS, ATTITUDES, AND POTENTIAL BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE OBESITY CARE IN THAILAND

A SURVEY OF PEOPLE WITH OBESITY AND HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS FROM THE ACTION APAC STUDY

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
Obesity remains largely underdiagnosed and undertreated globally. The ACTION (Awareness, Care, and Treatment in Obesity Management Asia Pacific) study identified obesity perceptions among people with obesity (PwO) andhealth care professionals (HCPs) in nine countries. Here, we report the findings from Thailand.

METHODOLOGY
This was an online survey of eligible PwO (≥18-yearold; body mass index:≥25 kg/m2) and HCPs (≥2 years in practice) between 14 April 2022 and 23 May 2022.

RESULTS
A total of 1,503 PwO and 200 HCPs completed the survey. One in three PwO perceived themselves as normal/ overweight. PwO wanted to lose 24% of their current weight, the mean frequency of weight loss (WL) attempts was 4, and 57% regained weight after maintaining it for ≥6 months. Most PwO (65%) and HCPs (90%) recognized obesity as a chronic disease. However, 51% of PwO assumed self-responsibility and less than half (48%) were motivated to lose weight. PwO were most motivated to lose weight by a desire to feel better physically (31%). Only 49% discussed weight with their HCPs in the past 5 years, and 34% cited assuming self-responsibility for WL as the top reason for not discussing it. Nearly half (48%) of PwO were motivated to lose weight and cited a lack of exercise (63%) as a major WL barrier. Notably, 48% of PwO and 69% of HCPs agreed that a lack of understanding of obesity was a barrier. Most (71%) PwO preferred to lose weight by themselves rather than taking medications. Although 70% of HCPs were likely to review the WL medications with their PwO, only 11% recommended them. Both were concerned about side effects (PwO:68%; HCP:60%) and the long-term safety of anti-obesity medications (PwO:67%; HCP: 58%). In addition, cost was a major barrier for both (PwO:62%; HCP:68%) to consider WL medications

CONCLUSION
There were gaps and misperceptions of obesity disease understanding and management among PwO and HCPs in Thailand. This underscores the need to improve obesity education and encourage effective obesity management and counseling by HCPs.