Patients with obesity want respect, not lectures, in primary care visits

Medical Economics August 25, 2025
Austin Littrell, Keith A. Reynolds

Key Takeaways

• Patients with obesity seek respect and attentive listening from healthcare providers, not resource-intensive changes.
• Surveyed patients rated an ideal visit scenario highly, prioritizing care, respect, and appropriate referrals.
• Weight stigma negatively impacts mental health and trust, necessitating cultural and communication changes in healthcare.
• The co-design approach could enhance equity in health systems beyond obesity care.

Drexel University research shows simple changes could make primary care visits more welcoming and less stressful for patients.

For many people living with obesity, a routine doctor’s appointment can feel anything but routine. Too often, they say, they leave feeling judged, dismissed, or ignored. A new study from Drexel University suggests that what patients want most isn’t complicated — they want...

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