Obesity Management in Primary Care

Background: This collaboration from the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) and ACOFP examines obesity management from a primary care perspective.

Methods: This joint perspective is based on scientific evidence, clinical experience of the authors, and peer review by OMA and ACOFP leadership. The goal is to identify and answer sentinel questions about obesity management from a primary care perspective, utilizing evidence-based publications, and guided by expert clinical experience.

Results: Obesity is a disease that contributes to biomechanical complications and the most common cardiometabolic abnormalities encountered in primary care. Barriers that impede optimal care of patients with obesity in primary care include failure to recognize obesity as a disease, lack of accurate diagnosis, insufficient access to obesity treatment resources, inadequate training, insufficient time, lack of adequate reimbursement, and the adverse impact of bias, stigma, and discrimination.

Conclusions: Family physicians are often the first line of treatment in the healthcare setting. This affords early intervention opportunities to prevent and/or treat overweight and/or obesity. Patient care is enhanced when primary care clinicians recognize the risks and benefits of antiobesity medications (AOMs) and bariatric procedures, as well as long-term follow-up. Practical tools regarding the four pillars of nutrition therapy, physical activity, behavior modification, and medical interventions (AOMs and bariatric surgery) may assist primary care clinicians in improving the health and lives of patients with obesity.