Most Doctors’ Weight Loss Advice is Ineffective: What Now?

One survey shows that 90.3% of Australian respondents expressed confidence in their medical professionals, likely due to their highly scientific methods, the many years of studying and training they undergo, and the multiple licensure exams they must take. However, doctors are not the be-all and end-all of healthcare — a fact most apparent in weight management.

Recent studies on doctors’ weight loss advice reveal that most only offer vague suggestions. These suggestions are primarily generic and focus on following a diet and exercising more without considering a patient’s circumstances. This leaves most patients unsuccessful and feeling frustrated in their attempts to reduce. In some cases, several patients may even give up on possibly life-changing weight loss altogether. So, what should patients do now?

Why most doctors aren’t weight loss experts

The biggest reason why the majority of doctors aren’t the best resources for weight loss advice is because of their limited knowledge banks. Historically, most medical studies were conducted on White males, including any research related to weight. For instance, the body mass index (BMI) only factors in what constitutes being underweight, normal, overweight, and obese for caucasian males. As a result, more recent reports find that BMIs are likely to produce inaccurate results in demographics like Black women. Many medical resources are also based on Western practices and completely overlook external factors that may influence weight in other cultures.

Another reason is internalised bias against fatness, which can be present even during training as healthcare students. Far too often, patients share that they feel discriminated against by their doctors. This is because even healthcare professionals are humans who tend to think of fatness as a sign of laziness. Consequently, doctors are prone to brush off a heavier patient’s concerns and chalk up their problems as a direct result of being overweight. In terms of losing weight, many doctors suggest a caloric deficit and more cardio workouts because they assume their patients are sedentary and likely to eat unhealthy junk foods.

What patients can do?

The good news is that not all doctors are unqualified to give weight loss advice, so it’s just a matter of finding those who are. Case in point, patients can opt to join medical weight loss clinics led by doctors who are among the elite 1% trained in proper weight loss care. They can offer compassionate 1:1 care, including regular check-ins, tailored nutrition programs, and customised fitness regimens. This ensures that patients are given accurate and nuanced weight loss plans and the necessary support to keep the results sustainable.

Patients can also advocate for taking weight loss medication. Since many doctors tend to think that weight loss is limited to diet and exercise, patients can look for experts who have a history of treating patients with obesity medication. Specifically, it can be helpful for obese patients whose weight gain is impacted by complex factors like genetics and medical history. Medical practitioners prescribe GLP-1 for weight loss to even out this genetic playing field. When used consistently, GLP-1 agonists like semaglutides (more commonly known under the brand name Ozempic) help patients curb their appetite in the long term, making weight loss more attainable and manageable for those struggling with chronic conditions like obesity.

As it happens, medical weight loss interventions interest a number of Australian adults; it’s estimated at least 20,000 Australians have been using compounded weight loss medicines, but the actual number could be much higher – illustrating local demand. While this approach may not be for everyone, finding a doctor who doesn’t immediately dissuade the idea can open doors for more people.

And, as we mentioned when discussing Australia’s obesity rates,  Perth residents took the lead as the nation’s least obese in 2019 — mainly due to lifestyle factors. Suburban areas have a greater density of shops selling fresh produce, greater competition for healthy foods, fewer fast food outlets, and green and leafy spaces for exercise. Finding a medical practitioner who recognises that life circumstances are not equal for everyone is critical.

In closing, patients need to understand that just because a doctor’s weight loss advice doesn’t work, that doesn’t mean they should give up on the idea altogether. Instead, it’s vital to find specialist doctors and care plans who understand the real struggles of weight loss and respect you as a patient and as a person.