Obese patients reported dissatisfaction with weight, body image and interaction with clinicians at Dr Yusuf Dadoo District Hospital
Date
2024
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Abstract
Background:
Obesity in South Africa has created a public health crisis that warrants a multilevel intervention. Patients’ perceptions and clinicians’ challenges hinder the management of obesity in primary care.
Aim:
The study aimed to assess obese patients’ dissatisfaction with weight and body image and their perspectives on interaction with clinicians in a primary care setting. Setting: Dr Yusuf Dadoo District Hospital, outpatient department.
Method:
Cross-sectional study of 213 adult obese patients. A semi-structured questionnaire, a body image assessment tool and patient medical records were used for data collection. Results: The study found that, contrary to popular belief, obese patients were dissatisfied with their weight (78.9%) and body image (95.3%). Many felt comfortable discussing weight reduction with clinicians, although 37.1% reported never engaging with a doctor, and 62.9% never interacted with a nurse on the subject. Only six percent reported receiving adequate information on weight reduction measures, and 19.7% were followed-up. Clinicians’ advice was mainly associated with patients’ high BMI and waist circumference. Doctors were less likely to recommend weight reduction to employed obese women, while nurses were more likely to engage Zulu-speaking patients. Patients were more likely to be followed up if there were young and excessively obese.
Conclusion:
The study found that most obese patients were dissatisfied with their weight and body image and perceived their interaction with clinicians inadequate
Contribution:
The study highlights a possible shift in obese patients’ weight and body image perception compared to previous reports. It also brings to light clinicians’ deficiencies that warrant further education on obesity management.
Description
A research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Medicine (MMed) in Family Medicine to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, School of Clinical Medicine, Johannesburg, 2023
Keywords
Obesity, Obese patients, Body image