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Review
. 2025 May 21;14(1):47.
doi: 10.1007/s13679-025-00639-7.

Health Disparities in Obesity Treatment Outcomes, Access, and Utilization

Kathryn M Ross  1 , Kate E Worwag  2 , Taylor N Swanson  2 , Armaan Shetty  2 , Kelsey L Barrett  2
Affiliations
Review

Health Disparities in Obesity Treatment Outcomes, Access, and Utilization

Kathryn M Ross et al. Curr Obes Rep. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: We aimed to summarize research on disparities in obesity treatment outcomes, access, and utilization.

Recent findings: We identified disparities in treatment effectiveness by race/ethnicity, sex/gender, and disability status. There were equivocal results regarding whether outcomes varied by socioeconomic status (SES) and there was no evidence for a rural/urban disparity. A different pattern emerged for treatment access/utilization; disparities were identified across all groups, including race/ethnicity, SES, rurality, sex/gender/sexual and gender minority (SGM) status, and disability status. Little is known regarding how multiple marginalized identities may interact in relation to treatment outcomes or access/utilization. Future research should adopt an intersectional framework to understand the complex interactions between an individual's identities and obesity treatment effectiveness, access, and utilization. Moreover, the field should look beyond the individual-level, using a multi-level approach to identify barriers and strategies to promoting access to effective treatment across system/organizational and policy levels.

Keywords: Anti-obesity medications; Comprehensive intervention for obesity; Health disparities; Health equity; Metabolic and bariatric surgeries; Obesity treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

References

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