Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42533869›Full record

ArticleTranslational behavioral medicine2026

Understanding obesity treatment choices: a mixed-methods study of patient preferences and shared decision-making.

Kirstie M Herb Neff, Lyndell Wright, Deserae Clarke, Christopher D Still, Lisa Bailey-Davis

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Translational behavioral medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Kirstie M Herb NeffDepartment of Population Health Sciences, Geisinger College of Health Sciences, Danville, PA, United States.ORCID 0000-0002-4445-8895
Lyndell WrightCenter for Obesity and Metabolic Research, Geisinger College of Health Sciences, Danville, PA, United States.ORCID 0000-0002-4366-5278
Deserae ClarkeCenter for Obesity and Metabolic Research, Geisinger College of Health Sciences, Danville, PA, United States.
Christopher D StillCenter for Obesity and Metabolic Research, Geisinger College of Health Sciences, Danville, PA, United States.ORCID 0000-0001-8006-8483
Lisa Bailey-DavisDepartment of Population Health Sciences, Geisinger College of Health Sciences, Danville, PA, United States.ORCID 0000-0002-8781-1521

Funding

Geisinger Henry Hood Clinical and Research Excellence Award
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundShared decision-making (SDM) is recommended in obesity treatment. Yet, little is known about how it occurs in real-world practice, particularly given recent advances in treatment options. PURPOSE: This prospective mixed-methods study aimed to understand patient preferences and decision-making processes for obesity treatment.

methodsAdults with obesity (N = 103) seeking specialty weight management treatment completed a survey, and a subset (n = 17) participated in qualitative interviews. Both assessed weight loss history, knowledge and expectations of obesity treatment options, decision-making factors, and perceptions of SDM.

resultsParticipants reported an average of 10.1 (SD = 13.5) prior weight loss attempts and were primarily motivated by physical well-being (86.4%). Key factors influencing decision-making included desired weight loss (84.5%), provider recommendations (76.7%), and cost (62.1%). Anti-obesity medications were viewed most favorably, followed by behavioral and surgical approaches. Qualitative analysis generated four themes: (i) a chronic cycle of weight loss and regain; (ii) guided by stories, not science alone; (iii) navigating trade-offs in choosing weight-loss strategies; and (iv) feeling heard, but still seeking direction.

conclusionsPatients demonstrate strong awareness of obesity treatments and value SDM and personalized recommendations when making decisions. Findings highlight the need for interventions that strengthen SDM and deliver tailored, high-quality health communication.

Indexed as

Decision Making, SharedObesityPatient PreferenceAdultDecision MakingFemaleHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHumansMaleMiddle AgedProspective StudiesQualitative ResearchSurveys and QuestionnairesWeight Lossanti-obesity medicationslifestyle changesmetabolic and bariatric surgeryobesityshared decision-making

Identifiers

PMID42533869
PMCPMC13424445

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.