How to talk to the patient about obesity

Abstract

Talking about obesity can be a challenge for doctors. It is known that obesity is a great cause of mortality, worldwide. It leads to diabetes, a most deadly illness, and other conditions that can cause death. However, it also affects self-esteem and how people see themselves in the mirror. It can cause eating disorders and eventually become a very dangerous problem that could end in tragedy. Few patients, indeed few laypeople realize how deadly diabetes can be. Doctors should keep this in mind. Because obesity damages perception, how people view and feel about themselves, it is often hard for doctors to hit the right tact. And tact is a doctor’s best friend, most especially when talking to obese patients. It is important to make sure the person feels in friendly hands. Some doctors can be brash and tell the patient that they’re obese in the worst possible way, even using, perish the thought, the dreaded “fat” word. It is important to use the correct language, and to talk to the patient gently and in the right way to make sure he doesn’t feel offended. Talking about the risks of overweight can be a very good way of making them understand the dangers of their dietary habits. The reasons behind obesity can vary, but it is important that the person understand the meaning of it all. To talk about obesity is a great a challenge, same as talking about other life-threatening diseases, because people react in different ways when life is at stake. The doctor has to evaluate the patient’s demeanor prior to getting into the subject: it is essential to know how and when to tell them. It is important not to shatter the selfesteem of the person and at the same time, to give them hope for a change and thereby save their lives. Some patients may object that they’re not obese; a good idea might be to show them a graph or some