Body weight is a touchy subject. While some clinicians are quick to bring it up at every appointment, others would rather avoid it at all costs. In some cases, patients want to talk about it, but they’re not sure how.

What patients are saying

Let's first take a closer look at the impetus for the new challenge and other initiatives designed to get patients more comfortable to talk about weight.

One user said, “Just had an embarrassing appointment where my gynecologist was harping on my weight. But it was not for any reason related to my reproductive health. […] She repeatedly said that I need to lose weight because my ‘knees will give out’ when I’m older […] and I nodded but now I’m thinking [what] does that have to do with my reproductive health?’ She didn’t offer guidance at all, as if losing 100 pounds is just a matter of wanting to. I am really angry and not sure what to do.”

How do you handle doctors that only want to talk about your weight?. Reddit.

Others expressed similar feelings of helplessness. “Every time I went to the doctor, they gave me the same speech about eating right and exercising," said one user.

Even though I do those things, hearing it over and over [will] not magically make me drop weight.

"Then I was getting referrals to a bariatric surgeon from every [doctor] I saw, even though I was not interested," the post continued. "I have PCOS and Hashimoto’s, so my weight will likely never be what doctors want [to see]. But it’s still pretty disheartening when my GYNECOLOGIST(!!!!!) recommended I try fasting (this was literally a week after I finished eating disorder treatment) when I was there to get an ultrasound for my PCOS.”

How do you handle doctors that only want to talk about your weight?. Reddit.

Positive stories patients have shared

“My gynecologist treated me through cyst removal, ovarian cancer treatment […] two pregnancies and recently a hysterectomy with prolapse repair. [My doctor] has mentioned my weight twice that I can remember. One was discussing delivery options during my first pregnancy and was limited to ‘We would ask you to have a hospital delivery, which is recommended for mothers with a slightly higher BMI combined with your complex history,’ and once during a discussion around HRT, ‘I would recommend patches rather than gel as I have found they deliver a more measured dose if you are carrying a little extra weight.’

It was handled very kindly and respectfully both times. I was never made to feel small or judged.

"I’m a grown woman. I know I’m fat. I know my health would benefit from weight loss. Being condescendingly told to lose 100 pounds [is] not helpful or respectful,” the post concluded.

How do you handle doctors that only want to talk about your weight?. Reddit.

Another shared:

“My OB saw me through two pregnancies, and I am a good 100+ lb overweight. She never brought it up. I did, though, because I felt terribly guilty for my extra weight making my pregnancies higher risk. I was always telling her how I was eating healthy and working to lose weight. One time, she looked me right in my eyes and told me that was good, but at any weight, she would be taking care of me and my babies."

How do you handle doctors that only want to talk about your weight?. Reddit.

I could have cried. That is how a good doctor should be.

How the new challenge aims to help

Clearly, patients want to choose whether to address their body weight during doctor’s visits. The Your Weight Matters challenge offers online resources to equip patients with tools to talk about their weight concerns.

Patients are encouraged to sign up for the challenge online and receive a free toolkit that includes education on weight loss interventions and lifestyle modifications, instructions on how to measure their BMI, and a list of questions to ask their providers.

Ready to take the challenge?. Your Weight Matters.

New obesity treatments are available to tackle excess weight, making today’s weight loss consults different than in years past. Not surprisingly, big names like Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Currax are excited to “fuel support” for the campaign, although the nature and extent of their involvement is undisclosed. These companies have either released or are working on blockbuster weight management drugs. They’re eager for patients to “ask their doctor” about treatments they want to sell.

Adams B. Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and other Big Pharmas back OAC’s ‘Your Weight Matters’ campaign challenge. Fierce Pharma. September 10, 2024.

Let patients take the lead

If research on behavior change has taught us anything, we know change must come from the individual.

The Your Weight Matters campaign can positively affect dynamics in the exam room. When patients bring up their weight, it takes some of the onus off physicians. If patients don’t bring it up, doctors may assume they’re either too shy to discuss it, or they don’t want to. In this case, clinicians can introduce the topic by telling patients about the Your Weight Matters challenge and letting them decide whether to discuss it further, now or later.