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. 2025 May;40(1):32-44.
doi: 10.15605/jafes.040.01.17. Epub 2025 Apr 25.

Perceptions, Attitudes, Behaviours and Barriers in Obesity Care: Findings from the ACTION-Vietnam Study

Nam Quang Tran  1   2 , Dao Nguyen Thi Bich  3 , Thu Nghiem Nguyet  4 , Tuan Nguyen Anh  5 , Nghi Le Huu  6 , Thanh Dau Ba  6 , YouSun Ha  7
Affiliations

Perceptions, Attitudes, Behaviours and Barriers in Obesity Care: Findings from the ACTION-Vietnam Study

Nam Quang Tran et al. J ASEAN Fed Endocr Soc. 2025 May.

Abstract

Objective: The ACTION Asia Pacific (ACTION-APAC) study was designed to identify the perceptions, attitudes, behaviours and potential barriers to effective obesity management in people with obesity (PwO) and healthcare professionals (HCPs) in nine countries of Southeast Asia. This study represents the findings in Vietnam.

Methodology: This cross-sectional, non-interventional study gathered information from Vietnamese PwO (n = 1000) and HCPs (n = 200) via an anonymous online survey between April and May 2022.

Results: The majority of PwO (67%) and HCPs (80%) believed that obesity is a chronic disease that profoundly impacts a person's overall health (76% PwO, 81% HCPs). About 58% of PwO agreed that managing weight loss was solely their responsibility. Meanwhile, 76% of HCPs believed they should actively contribute to their patients' weight loss efforts. Most of the PwO (82.7%) had attempted weight loss with an average of four times. PwO and HCPs cited lack of exercise (63% vs. 86%) and lack of motivation (60% vs. 80%) as the principal barriers to weight loss. HCPs cited PwOs' lack of interest (52%) and motivation to lose weight (45%) as top reasons for not discussing weight.

Conclusion: The study emphasised raising awareness for obesity management among PwO and HCPs and suggested early weight management conversations with HCPs.

Keywords: Vietnam; barriers to weight loss; healthcare professionals; patients with obesity; weight management.

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Conflict of interest statement

Drs. Tran and Bich received honoraria as Advisory Board and speaker of Abbott, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Inghelheim, Novo Nordisk, Roche and Sanofi. Dr. Nhuyet received honoraria as Advisory Board and speaker of Novo Nordisk and Abbott. Dr. Ahn received honoraria as Advisory Board and speaker of Medtronic, Braun and Novo Nordisk. Drs. Huu, Ba and Ha are employees of Novo Nordisk.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PwO and HCPs’ attitudes towards obesity and weight management. PwO and HCPs indicated their level of agreement (4 or 5) on a 5-point scale (1: Do not agree; 5: Completely agree) HCPs, healthcare professionals; PwO, people with obesity
Figure 2
Figure 2
Barriers to weight loss reported by PwO and HCPs. PwO and HCPs indicated their level of agreement (4 or 5) on a 5-point scale (1: Do not agree; 5: Completely agree) HCPs, healthcare professionals; PwO, people with obesity
Figure 3
Figure 3
Reasons for not having weight discussion between PwO and HCPs. HCPs, healthcare professionals; PwO, people with obesity.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Methods recommended by HCPs for weight management, as reported by HCPs. HCPs, healthcare professionals.
Supplementary Figure 1
Supplementary Figure 1
Motivators of weight loss reported by PwO and HCPs. PwO and HCPs indicated their level of agreement (4 or 5) on a 5-point scale (1: Do not agree; 5: Completely agree) HCPs, healthcare professionals; PwO, people with obesity
Supplementary Figure 2
Supplementary Figure 2
PwO’s perceptions of their weight. PwO, people with obesity
Supplementary Figure 3
Supplementary Figure 3
Age at which PwO first struggled with weight and discussed their weight with their HCPs. HCPs, healthcare professionals; PwO, people with obesity.
Supplementary Figure 4
Supplementary Figure 4
Weight loss attempts and success rate. (A) PwO-reported weight loss attempts. (B) Reasons for weight regain, as reported by PwO. PwO, people with obesity
Supplementary Figure 5
Supplementary Figure 5
PwO and HCP’s perceptions of weight stigma and its effect in forming relationship and obtaining job. HCP, healthcare professionals; PwO, people with obesity
Supplementary Figure 6
Supplementary Figure 6
Sources of information used for managing weight. HCP, healthcare professionals; PwO, people with obesity
Supplementary Figure 7
Supplementary Figure 7
Weight management goals reported by PwO and HCP. PwO and HCPs indicated their level of agreement (4 or 5) on a 5-point scale (1: Do not agree; 5: Completely agree) HCP, healthcare professionals; PwO, people with obesity
Supplementary Figure 8
Supplementary Figure 8
Attitudes towards prescription weight loss medications. HCP, healthcare professionals; PwO, people with obesity
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