Perceptions, Attitudes, and Barriers to Obesity Care in Mexico: Data From the ACTION-IO Study

Abstract

Objective: The Awareness, Care, and Treatment in Obesity Management-International Observation (ACTION-IO) study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03584191) aimed to identify perceptions, attitudes, behaviors, and barriers to effective obesity care in people with obesity (PwO) and health care professionals (HCPs). This study presents the results from Mexico.

Methods: An online survey was conducted. In Mexico, eligible PwO were ≥18 years of age with BMI ≥30 kg/m² based on self-reported height and weight. Eligible HCPs had direct patient care.

Results: The survey was completed by 2,000 PwO and 400 HCPs in Mexico. Many PwO (71%) and HCPs (94%) categorized obesity as a chronic disease. Sixty-three percent of PwO felt motivated to lose weight, but many HCPs perceived that PwO were not interested in losing weight (76%) or motivated to lose weight (69%). Lack of financial means to support weight-loss efforts was a barrier for PwO (34%) to discussing weight with HCPs. Sixty-five percent of PwO had discussed weight with HCPs in the past 5 years. PwO (80%) and HCPs (89%) considered lack of exercise as the main barrier to weight loss. Few PwO (34%) had successfully lost ≥5% of their body mass over the past 3 years.

Conclusions: This ACTION-IO study in Mexico identified discrepancies in the perceptions of PwO and HCPs, highlighting opportunities for further education and patient-centered approaches.

Figure 1

Agreement of people with obesity (PwO) and health care professionals (HCPs) in Mexico with statements describing attitudes toward obesity. Agreement was rated on a scale of 1 (do not agree at all) to 5 (completely agree). Q, question.

Figure 2

Weight‐loss efforts and weight‐loss response in Mexico. (A) Past serious weight‐loss attempts by people with obesity (PwO); the percentage of patients considered by their health care professional (HCP) to have (B) made a serious attempt at weight loss and to have (C) been successful within the past year; and the (D) proportion of PwO who had 5% weight loss and maintenance of 5% weight loss in the past 3 years. S, screening question; Q, question.

Figure 3

Weight‐management discussions between people with obesity (PwO) and health care professionals (HCPs) and outcomes in Mexico. (A) Proportion of PwO who discussed weight management with an HCP, received an obesity diagnosis, and received a follow‐up appointment/call. (B) Time between the start of weight issues and discussions with an HCP for PwO who had discussed their weight with an HCP in the past 5 years. (C) Proportion of PwO who preferred their HCP to raise a weight issue during appointments. (D) Emotional impact on PwO after a weight‐management discussion with an HCP. Q, question.

Figure 4

Reasons for not holding discussions around weight with a health care professional (HCP) or patient for people with obesity (PwO) and HCPs in Mexico. Q, question.

Figure 5

Weight‐management methods deemed effective by people with obesity (PwO) and health care professionals (HCPs) in Mexico. For PwO, responses were only taken from those who had tried each method. Q, question.