Does the Prevalence of Obesity in the Different Regions of Spain Influence the Attitudes, Perception, and Barriers to Its Treatment?

Introduction: The differences in the prevalence of obesity between the various regions of Spain, partly attributed to socioeconomic differences, may influence the approach to this disease. The aim of this study was to compare differences in attitudes, perception, and barriers to the treatment of obesity between people with obesity (PwO) and health care professionals (HCPs), between the different regions of Spain.

Methods: Sub-analysis of the ACTION-IO Spain study, which included 1,500 PwO and 306 HCP, was performed to identify differences in PwQ and HCPs belonging to regions with high prevalence of obesity (>16%, n = 9 regions, high prevalence of obesity [HPO] group) and low prevalence of obesity (<16%, n = 8 regions, low prevalence of obesity [LPO] group) (self-reported data), according to the 2017 National Health Survey of Spain.

Perceptions, Attitudes, and Barriers to Obesity Management in Spain: Results from the Spanish Cohort of the International ACTION-IO Observation Study.

The prevalence of obesity is rapidly rising in Spain. The Awareness, Care and Treatment in Obesity Management-An International Observation (ACTION-IO) study (NCT03584191) was an international cross-sectional survey conducted to identify the perceptions, attitudes, behaviors, and barriers to obesity management for people with obesity (PwO) and healthcare professionals (HCPs); results from Spain are presented. In Spain, 1500 PwO (body mass index ≥30 kg/m based on self-reported height and weight) and 306 HCPs (in direct patient care for ≥2 years) completed the survey.