Recognition of overweight and obesity by patients and medical practitioners and their practices related to weight reduction; a cross-sectional study

Introduction: Accurate perception of weight by overweight/obese patients and the acknowledgment of their excess weight by medical practitioners are pivotal in managing obesity. This study aims to assess knowledge, perception and practices related to weight reduction among overweight/obese patients and the recognition of their overweight status and interventions by medical practitioners.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study interviewed 317 overweight/ obese patients during their first visits to general medical clinics at the University Hospital of Kotelawala Defence University. A structured questionnaire assessed their demographic characteristics, comorbidity, knowledge, perception and practices related to weight reduction. Recognition and management of overweight/ obesity by medical practitioners were evaluated through recall of previous six-month consultations and review of medical records.
Results: Among the study participants, 163 (51.4%) were obese and 154 (48.6%) were overweight. Only 63 (19.9%) patients knew the meaning of BMI, and 306 (96.5%) could not define the ideal BMI for a Sri Lankan adult. Less than half (45.4%) considered overweight/obesity a medical problem. Body weight misperception observed among 92 (59.7%) overweight and 150 (92.0%) obese participants. Of the 267 participants who reported being evaluated by another medical practitioner in the previous six months, 102 (38.2%) were told the diagnosis of overweight/obesity. However, weight status was documented only in seven (2.6%) patient records. Nonetheless, 110 (41.2%) patients had received weight reduction advice during previous consultations, and 68 (61.8%) had attempted to lose weight.
Conclusions: Low comprehension of the term BMI and misperception of body weight among the studied population is concerning. Patients who received weight reduction advice from medical practitioners were more inclined to lose weight. However, acknowledgment and intervention of the excess weight status of overweight /obese patients by medical practitioners were largely inadequate.