Understanding of obesity differed across healthcare professionals and the public
A review found that healthcare professionals more often recognized obesity as a disease than the general public. Gaps remained in awareness of its causes and complications across the surveyed groups.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Healthcare professionals more often viewed obesity as a disease than adults living with obesity or the general public. Across the reviewed research, recognition of contributing genetic factors was less common than recognition of inactivity or food intake as perceived causes. These findings describe people's understanding; they do not measure what caused obesity in individual participants.
The abstract does not describe the wording of awareness questions, participant locations, or how responses varied between studies. Those missing details limit interpretation of the combined proportions and comparisons.
Awareness was the measured outcome
The review included research asking people about obesity as a disease and about its causes, symptoms, and complications. It combined some responses statistically, rather than testing whether an educational program changed knowledge or health outcomes.
Recognition varied by topic
Heart and blood-vessel diseases and diabetes were the most commonly recognized complications. Genetic factors received less recognition as contributors. These response patterns identify topics where understanding differed, but do not establish why particular respondents held those views.
The original publication
Systematic literature review on the awareness of obesity in adults and children living with obesity, the general public and healthcare professionals.
Schreurs L, Gies I, Van der Schueren B et al.
Int J Obes (Lond) · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40702346
- Record checked
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