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ACTION Study designed by committee of obesity experts

ACTION is led by a multi-disciplinary steering committee comprised of representatives from The Obesity Society, the Obesity Action Coalition, and the Integrated Benefits Institute, as well as obesity experts in the fields of primary care, endocrinology, psychology, and nursing. Together, these renowned experts in obesity care established three primary objectives for the ACTION Study:
 

  1. Create a better understanding of the barriers that prevent people with obesity from receiving the medical care and support needed to improve health
  2. Generate insights to guide collaborative action to improve care, education, and support for people with obesity
  3. Create a platform for communication to help change how people with obesity, health care professionals, and employers manage, treat, and support obesity


To achieve these objectives, the ACTION Study involved a comprehensive literature review, qualitative research, and quantitative surveys of more than 3,000 people with obesity, 600 health care professionals, and 150 employers in the United States. In all, this research produced a vast quantity of data points around the perceptions of obesity, the care people with obesity receive, and the support and resources that HCPs and employers offer to people with obesity.

The ACTION Study is sponsored by Novo Nordisk.

Meet the Steering Committee

Qualitative Research Design

To begin to identify perspectives on obesity and inform the design of the quantitative survey, focus groups and interviews were conducted with 43 people with obesity and 24 health care professionals (12 primary care physicians and 12 weight-loss specialists).1

Six focus groups for people with obesity were held in New York City, Dallas, and San Francisco. Participants were at least 18 years old and met the criteria for obesity diagnosis. Groups were divided by gender and obesity class (I, II or III).1

Telephone interviews with primary care providers and obesity specialists (physicians and nurse practitioners) were conducted to explore perceptions of obesity treatments, patient interactions, and observations of patient weight loss experiences. Obesity specialists were certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine.1

For both groups, participants were identified by independent sources.

Quantitative research results

Based on the qualitative research findings, an extensive quantitative survey was conducted with people with obesity, health care professionals, and employers. Study results reveal key barriers to obesity care, including differing attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors that lead to a lack of collaboration and action.

The quantitative data was collected from and reflects the perspectives of these three groups:
 

Learn more about quantitative results

ACTION Study designed by committee of obesity experts

Meet the Steering Committee

ACTION is led by a multi-disciplinary steering committee comprising representatives from The Obesity Society, the Obesity Action Coalition, and the Integrated Benefits Institute, as well as obesity experts in the fields of primary care, endocrinology, psychology, and nursing. Together, these renowned experts in obesity care established 3 primary objectives for the ACTION study:

  1. Create a better understanding of the barriers that prevent people with obesity from receiving the medical care and support needed to improve health
  2. Generate insights to guide collaborative action to improve care, education, and support for people with obesity
  3. Create a platform for communication to help change how people with obesity, health care professionals, and employers manage, treat, and support obesity


To achieve these objectives, the ACTION study involved a comprehensive literature review, qualitative research, and quantitative surveys of more than 3,000 people with obesity, 600 health care professionals, and 150 employers in the United States. In all, this research produced a vast quantity of data points around the perceptions of obesity, the care people with obesity receive, and the support and resources that HCPs and employers offer to people with obesity. Results of the quantitative research will be available on this website when published.

The ACTION study is sponsored by Novo Nordisk.
 

Qualitative Research Design

To begin to identify perspectives on obesity and inform the design of the quantitative survey, focus groups and interviews were conducted with 43 people with obesity and 24 health care professionals (12 primary care physicians and 12 weight-loss specialists).1

For both groups, participants were identified by independent sources.

Quantitative research results

Based on the qualitative research findings, an extensive quantitative survey was conducted with people with obesity, health care professionals, and employers. Study results reveal key barriers to obesity care, including differing attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors that lead to a lack of collaboration and action.

The quantitative data was collected from and reflects the perspectives of these three groups:

Learn more about quantitative results

  1. Kaplan L, Golden A, O’Neil P, et al. Divergence of patient and clinician perceptions of obesity and weight management. Poster presented at: ObesityWeek 2015; November 2-6, 2015; Los Angeles, CA.
  1. Kaplan L, Golden A, O’Neil P, et al. Divergence of patient and clinician perceptions of obesity and weight management. Poster presented at: ObesityWeek 2015; November 2-6, 2015; Los Angeles, CA.