Patient Perspectives on Weight vs. Health-Centric Messaging around Obesity Management

Abstract

Individuals living with obesity are often subject to weight-centric messaging in obesity management and treatment, which has been identified as contributing to weight bias and stigma, as well as unreasonable pressure to lose weight as a means of improving health (Bombak, 2014; Nutter, 2020). Messaging from healthcare professionals that supports health rather than promoting weight loss could better support behaviour change. This study explored how individuals living with obesity understand the value of health-centric rather than weight-centric messaging in obesity management. To gain the patient perspective on health versus weight-centric messaging, in-depth, open-ended, qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 participants. Of the 10 participants, eight were women, and two were men, with two of them being a part of the Obesity Canada Public Engagement Committee. The interviews were transcribed and coded using NVIVO 12 and following Braun and Clarke’s six-step model for thematic analysis. The study applied a Pragmatic Worldview approach, framed within the Social Ecological Model (SEM). There were four themes identified that were subsequently categorized into one of the five levels of the SEM. The themes were, the ‘weight’ of words, unsustainable care, care without context, and think ‘healthy’ thoughts. These four themes demonstrated that, while weight-centric messaging is more commonly used within the healthcare setting, health-centric messaging is preferred by patients and may be less damaging to their health and well-being.