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The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), a nonprofit organization giving a voice to individuals affected by obesity, partnered with Ro, a top direct-to-patient healthcare company, to survey people across the country living with obesity. The survey aimed to understand more about their weight loss journeys, motivations to address their health and how they feel about new GLP-1 medications.
Notably, the survey found that people with obesity are highly motivated to lose weight and are most often driven by a desire to improve their health and quality of life. The survey results also spotlighted the continued biases and challenges that people with obesity often face.
“People with obesity often blame themselves when they do not respond to treatment, and in return, feel like a failure. We need to recognize that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to treating this disease. People diagnosed with obesity deserve access to safe and effective care,” said Joe Nadglowski, President and CEO of the OAC.
The survey also revealed people with obesity’s perspectives on the benefits of weight loss and their satisfaction with prior attempts to lose weight and in-person obesity care. Additionally, the survey detailed what people with obesity know about new GLP-1 medications and their interest in using medication to lose weight.
Overall here’s what we learned:
- Health is the primary driver for weight loss. The top reason why people with obesity say they’re trying to lose weight is to live a longer, healthier life and because they are concerned about their overall health.
- There are no expectations of a “quick fix,” just better support. Many people with obesity have tried to lose weight through an average of three different methods, such as dieting, exercising and calorie-counting apps. Survey respondents reported varying satisfaction levels, but mostly a lack of satisfaction, showing that it is rarely easy to lose weight.
- It’s time to stop weight bias in healthcare. Respondents said they often face stigma and judgment due to their weight in their day-to-day lives and when receiving care for their health. However, there may be opportunities for the healthcare system to improve with a greater acceptance of obesity as a chronic condition and the possibility of seeking care through telehealth.
- And, GLP-1s are drawing interest, but questions remain. Among those who have heard of GLP-1s, interest in trying the treatment for weight loss is high. Those who are interested have already tried to lose weight in other ways and are interested in finding something to help them lose weight and maintain it for the long term.
To read the full results, visit: ro.co/weight-loss/obesity-and-GLPs-survey
About Ro: Ro is a direct-to-patient healthcare company with a mission of helping patients achieve their health goals by delivering the most convenient and effective care possible. Ro is the only company to offer telehealth, diagnostics, labs, and pharmacy services nationwide. This is enabled by Ro’s vertically integrated platform that helps patients achieve their goals through an end-to-end healthcare experience spanning from diagnosis, to delivery of medication, to ongoing care. Since 2017, Ro has helped millions of patients in nearly every single county in the United States, including 98% of primary care deserts. Visit Ro.co for more information.
About the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC): The Obesity Action Coalition is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to elevating and empowering individuals affected by obesity through education, advocacy and support. We work to raise awareness of and eliminate weight bias and discrimination in healthcare, education, media and the workplace; fight to improve access to science-based treatment and care of obesity for those who choose to seek it; and provide support through education and community events.