Interaction between primary health care professionals and people who are overweight or obese: A critical review

Objective: To identify through a review of the literature how primary health care professionals interact with people who are overweight or obese.

Setting: Primary health care practices.

Primary Argument: Interactions between primary health care professionals and overweight or obese patients are influenced by complex factors that impact on effective management of overweight and obesity.

Conclusions: The practice skills and knowledge of primary health care professionals, lack of resources, and inconsistent overweight and obesity management guidelines impact on the interaction with patients. The emotive and personal nature of overweight and obesity, and the attitudes and beliefs of primary health care professionals also impact on the interaction. Education of primary health care professionals must address attitudes and beliefs about overweight and obesity. Education in the diagnosis of overweight and obesity and the acquisition of effective weight loss counselling skills is essential to improving interactions and the overall management of overweight and obesity.