Perceptions, attitudes, and management of obesity in East Asians vs global: A pooled analysis of the ACTION IO survey

Objective: This ACTION-IO sub-analysis compared attitudes of people with obesity (PwO) and healthcare professionals (HCPs) between South Korea/Japan and global. Methods: Responses from overall (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 25 kg/m²) and higher BMI (30.0–34.9 kg/m²) groups were compared descriptively; t-and z-tests were used to test for statistical significant difference. Results: Total responses from South Korea/Japan vs global were as follows: overall (PwO: 3,501 vs 14,502; HCPs: 502 vs 2,785); higher BMI (PwO: 530 vs 7,460) groups. Compared to global, more South Korea/Japan-PwO considered improving existing health condition as top weight loss (WL) goal (overall: 37% vs 28%, higher BMI: 35% vs 26%; P < 0.05) and fear of weight regain as top WL barrier (overall: 52% vs 45%, higher BMI: 65% vs 42%; P < 0.05). Fewer South Korea/Japan-PwO reported discussing weight (overall: 25% vs 51%, higher BMI: 31% vs 54%; P < 0.05). More South Korea/Japan-HCPs felt PwO as themselves responsible for WL (74% vs 55%; P < 0.05). More than two-of-three South Korea/Japan-HCPs (vs four-of-five global) were motivated to help PwO in WL. Conclusions: South Korea/Japan PwO had differences in their attitudes and behaviors toward obesity care. These findings support the need for increased public awareness of obesity as a disease and for HCPs to play active role initiating weight management dialogue.