Endocrine Abstracts

Aims and Methods:

Obesity treatment is often unsuccessful despite the efforts of seemingly motivated patients. Awareness among the obese, regarding obesity, is important to facilitate weight loss and to prevent weight gain. We assessed the awareness of obese patients with regard to obesity, its complications and treatment options. Consecutive subjects attending outpatient clinics with BMI>/=30and <70years of age were interviewed.

Results:

50obese patients(25 males), mean age 51(28-69)and mean BMI 36.6(30-53)were interviewed. 28% blamed medications and 62%blamed lack of exercise, for their obesity. 36%(12M;6F) admitted to overeating. 80%were confident of being able to lose weight without help.

28%and 42%were aware of medical and surgical treatment options for obesity respectively. 22%had tried anti-obesity drugs. 64%(15 men;17 women)had met a dietician at least once, and 30%,twice or more. Among those who had met a dietician, the initial visit was felt to be unhelpful by 50%; 37%were willing to consider a further visit. 38 % had joined a health club. Women were more likely to join a health club(14Fvs.5M). Mean BMI was similar in health club attendees and non-attendees(36.8 vs.36.7; p=0.97).

Overall, 74%had managed mean weight loss of 17.7 kg(range 6-50)with 5%maintaining the loss. 7 of the 12who smoked had concerns of stopping due to possible weight gain. 62%were employed, 42%of who felt their job prevented weight loss. Most people were aware of the cardiovascular implications(MI 100%, Hypertension98 %; stroke80%; diabetes88%). Only 28%knew obesity increased the risk for cancer.

Conclusion:

A surprising proportion of patients were confident they could lose weight without assistance and self reported weight loss was high, but maintenance of weight loss was poor. This may reflect low awareness and utilisation of therapeutic options among the obese. The importance of dietary contribution to obesity and role of the dietician in treatment needs to be better emphasised, and acknowledged.