CINCINNATI, June 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Significant barriers
are keeping adults affected by obesity (a) and physicians (b) from
talking frankly about bariatric, or weight loss, surgery, a new
survey sponsored by the Obesity Action Coalition and Ethicon
Endo-Surgery shows.
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The survey found that while four in five adults affected by
obesity had discussed weight with their health care provider, (1)
only one in 10 who meet the National Institutes of Health
guidelines for bariatric surgery have had their doctor recommend
it. (1) The survey was conducted online in March and April 2011 by
Harris Interactive among 400 U.S. adults affected by obesity, 252
U.S. adults who have undergone bariatric surgery (1) and 495
physicians. (2)
Results indicate that the majority of patients (86%) who had
surgery wish they’d had it sooner, (1) and half of physicians echo
this sentiment, wishing they had suggested it sooner to some of
their patients. (2)
“Healthcare professionals should be having detailed discussions
with people suffering from obesity about all their treatment
options, including weight-loss surgery,” said Joe Nadglowski,
President and Chief Executive Officer, Obesity Action Coalition.
“The survey results indicate that doctors are not speaking to
patients about their weight and the effects it can have on their
health. Informed patients can proactively manage their health and
improve their quality of life.”
According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric
Surgery and other national medical associations, bariatric surgery
is the most effective therapy available for morbid obesity and can
result in improvement or complete resolution of obesity
comorbidities. (3)
The health care professionals surveyed tend to underestimate
patients’ willingness to discuss their weight
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