Estimates suggest that about 70% of adults are overweight or have obesity. It’s crucial for healthcare professionals to understand the nuances of caring for patients with obesity and weight-related comorbidities. With data indicating that weight loss can lower risk for complications like heart attack and stroke in patients with kidney disease, conversations with patients about weight are of great importance.
As healthcare professionals, we have an obligation to ensure our patients receive the best care. This includes having tough conversations about weight, diet, and activity.
When to Talk to About Weight
It’s important to have an open dialogue, especially with those with medical indicators of being overweight or obese. If a patient experiences unhealthy weight gain, it may be time to have a respectful and nonjudgmental conversation.
Approach the discussion with compassion and never assume weight-related issues are at the top of a patient’s list of concerns. Ask about overall health and physical and emotional well-being. Let patients lead the discussion, and when the moment is right, ask if they would like to discuss their weight and the associated health risks.
Having an inclusive conversation with preferred terms—such as “overweight” and “healthy nutrition”—can improve physician–patient relations and lead to better care. Open-ended questions like “How do you feel about your weight?” are encouraged to help guide the conversation. Other topics include eating and drinking patterns, physical activity, and health goals.
What Are the Next Steps?
Ensuring patients who are overweight or have obesity are cared for is of the utmost importance. One bad interaction can be extremely harmful and could lead these patients to avoid medical care entirely.
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends referring patients with a BMI of 30 or higher to intensive behavioral interventions and obesity specialists. This makes it possible for a team of healthcare professionals to treat the many facets of obesity and create a plan that includes diet and nutrition, physical activity, counseling, and follow-up care.
Whether or not patients are ready to make lifestyle changes, it’s up to clinicians to follow their cues. Compassionate care can go a long way in helping more patients get the care they need.
