Obese Patients Who Feel Judged by Doctors Less Likely to Lose Weight

By TRACI PEDERSEN Associate News Editor
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on February 23, 2014

Obese patients who believe their doctors are critical of their weight are more likely to attempt to get fit but less likely to succeed, according to a new study by Johns Hopkins researchers.

“Negative encounters can prompt a weight loss attempt, but our study shows they do not translate into success,” says study leader Kimberly A. Gudzune, M.D., M.P.H., an assistant professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

“Ideally, we need to talk about weight loss without making patients feel they are being judged. It’s a fine line to walk, but if we can do it with sensitivity, a lot of patients would benefit.”

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