Abstract

Background: Obesity prevalence has recently increased due to genetic and environmental factors. Due to comorbidities, obesity management is a health priority to counsel patients, identify obesity causes, and perform obesity management and prevention procedures. The primary health care system provides a framework for delivering weight management; however, the lack of knowledge, reluctance to address weight management issues, and negative attitudes of physicians toward obesity management are barriers to effective obesity management.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the current practices, knowledge, and attitudes of physicians at family medicine setting in Riyadh city and to assess their role in prevention and management of obesity in Saudi Arabia.
Results: Nearly, half of the included physicians were male and 25% had more than 15 years of experience in family medicine practice. About 50% of the participating physicians had a neutral attitude toward the personal characteristics of obese individuals, but 18% of them had negative reactions toward the appearance of obese patients. Male physicians were also less likely to offer bariatric surgery for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (p = 0.0001). Non-Saudis are significantly more likely to believe that it is important to educate patients about overweight (p = 0.05) and less likely to believe that they are effectively practicing their role (p = 0.05).
Conclusion: It is important to acknowledge the constraints of the existing working environment and limitations. Further research should be undertaken to explore the effectiveness of a range of preventive and treatment strategies and guidelines within the physicians' existing practice.

Key words: Obesity, family medicine, physician, knowledge, attitude