The Urgent Need for Better Obesity Management Training in Primary Care

Recent research from the 2024 Obesity Week Conference shows there's a huge gap in how well primary care providers manage obesity. Despite obesity becoming increasingly common, many clinicians still lack training in evidence-based treatments. And this is affecting our patients' health in a big way. We need to do better.

The Scope of the Problem
Obesity now impacts almost half of all adults in the United States. And yet, effective management is still out of reach for so many people. Patients aren’t getting the care they need, and we have to ask ourselves: Why not? How can we, as healthcare providers, bridge this gap and start making a real difference?

Key Findings on Knowledge Gaps in Obesity Management
Dr. Alejandro Campos from Boston Medical Center led a study involving 96 primary care providers. What did they find? Some serious gaps in knowledge when it comes to anti-obesity medications (AOMs) and when to prescribe them. The study highlighted that more than a third of providers don’t prescribe AOMs at all. And referrals for bariatric surgery are notably low too. This hesitancy to use evidence-based treatments often comes down to a lack of familiarity with the guidelines—and ultimately means patients aren’t getting the best care.

Here are some key findings from the study:

• Understanding AOM Criteria: Only 25% of providers could correctly identify both indications for AOMs. Less than half knew the BMI-based criteria for prescribing these medications. This isn’t just a knowledge gap—it has a direct impact on whether our patients can access the treatment they need.
• Recognition of Obesity-Related Comorbidities: Most providers knew that type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, and cardiovascular disease are related to weight. But fewer connected obesity with conditions like cancer or chronic kidney disease. If we don’t understand the full scope of obesity’s impact, we’re missing key opportunities to improve our patients' health.
• Confidence in Prescribing AOMs: Many respondents were more comfortable prescribing newer medications like semaglutide or liraglutide compared to older AOMs like bupropion/naltrexone or phentermine/topiramate. This hesitancy limits treatment options, and ultimately, our patients suffer.

Challenges in Managing Obesity in Primary Care
The study also explored what’s holding primary care providers back from effectively managing obesity. Here are the biggest challenges they identified:

• Time Constraints: Lack of time came up again and again. We all know how tough it is to manage complex conditions during a 15-minute appointment. But taking the time to address obesity is crucial—it can change patient outcomes dramatically.
• Insufficient Training: Many providers admitted they simply don’t know enough about the complexities of obesity management. This includes everything from understanding medication safety to staying updated with the latest guidelines. Without this knowledge, how can we effectively support our patients?
• Patient Adherence and Motivation: Providers also felt that getting patients to stick to treatment plans or stay motivated is a major hurdle. Managing obesity isn’t just about prescribing medication—it’s about helping patients make lifestyle changes, and we need to be equipped to support them every step of the way.

Addressing Stigma and Enhancing Education
Dr. Campos also emphasized the need to tackle obesity-related stigma in our medical training. Effective education isn’t just about learning treatment guidelines—it’s also about confronting our own biases. Most of the surveyed providers rejected outdated notions like “lack of willpower” as the main cause of obesity, but 20% still saw insufficient physical activity as a significant factor. We need to understand obesity as a complex, multifactorial condition if we want to provide the best possible care.

Why This Matters for Patient Care
These knowledge gaps aren’t just theoretical—they have real effects on patient care:

• Limited Access to Treatment: Patients may not receive crucial interventions like AOMs or bariatric surgery simply because their provider isn’t familiar or comfortable with these options. This affects patient health, quality of life, and even life expectancy.
• Missed Opportunities for Comorbidity Management: Patients with obesity often present with a mix of complex health issues. Proper management of obesity could alleviate related conditions like obstructive sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and type 2 diabetes. We need to seize these opportunities to improve our patients' lives.

Next Steps: A Call to Action for Better Obesity Training
The 2024 Obesity Week findings make it clear: we urgently need better training at every level of medical education. Here’s what we need to do:

• Enhanced Curriculum in Medical and Nursing Schools: Obesity needs to be a core part of medical education. We need dedicated training on its underlying causes, the different treatment options, and how to provide interdisciplinary care. We need to ensure future healthcare providers are ready from day one.
• Ongoing Professional Development: Primary care providers need regular updates on new treatments and guidelines. Keeping up with the latest evidence helps us confidently apply it in our practice and deliver the best care to our patients.
• Integrated Weight Management Programs: Programs like the one Boston Medical Center has implemented—a weight management program right within primary care—should be the standard. They provide hands-on support for providers to address obesity effectively. Imagine how much better we could serve our patients if every clinic had this kind of program.

The increased use of GLP-1 receptor agonists is a promising step forward, but that’s not enough. For these advancements to really translate into better patient outcomes, we need to make sure healthcare providers have the knowledge, resources, and confidence to apply this new evidence. It’s time for us to step up and seek out the training we need.

Join the Movement for Better Obesity Care
At Smart Obesity Services (SOS), we’re committed to bridging these gaps. We offer specialized courses and resources designed to empower healthcare professionals. By improving access to evidence-based training, we can all deliver better, more compassionate, and stigma-free obesity care.

Want to learn more? Explore Smart Obesity Services and join us in making a real difference for people living with obesity.

Are you confident in your ability to provide effective obesity care? If not, let us help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to change lives.