Background: Weight bias is associated with adverse health consequences and may be experienced by people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) from multiple sources, including healthcare providers (HCPs) . This study assessed T2D patients’ sentiments surrounding their most recent visit with their HCP and psychosocial self-efficacy related to diabetes management across body mass index (BMI) range.
Methods: In September 2020, 2,975 adults with T2D in the United States completed an online questionnaire, including a series of questions about experiences at their last healthcare visit and the Diabetes Empowerment Scale-Short Form (DES-SF) to assess diabetes-related psychosocial self-efficacy. Health and demographic information were collected. BMI was calculated using patient-reported measures for height and weight.
Results: Respondents with a BMI of 40.0 or higher were more likely to feel blamed by their HCP for having diabetes (9%) compared to those with BMIs of 18.5-24.9 (4%) , 25.0-25.9 (5%) , and 30.0-34.9 (5%) , and more likely to feel as though their provider doubted their ability to manage their diabetes or follow their treatment plan (17%) compared to those with BMIs of 25.0-25.9 (11%) and 30.0-34.9 (12%) . Adults with T2D and a BMI of 35.0 or higher scored significantly lower on the DES-SF than those with BMIs of 18.5-24.9 and 25.0-29.9. Respondents with a BMI ≥40.0 were less likely to agree with the DES-SF subitem that they can ask for support surrounding having and caring for diabetes when they need it (63%) , compared to those with BMIs of 18.5-24.9 (74%) , 25.0-25.9 (68%) , and 30.0-34.9 (69%) .
Conclusions: These findings suggest that T2D patients with higher body mass index scores are more likely to feel stigma when interacting with HCPs, which may negatively impact diabetes empowerment and patient-provider relationships, emphasizing the need for increased focus on weight neutrality in diabetes care.
J.Stevenson: Other Relationship; Abbott Diabetes, Ascensia Diabetes Care, Beta Bionics, Inc., Dexcom, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Insulet Corporation, LifeScan, Medtronic, Roche Diabetes Care, Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. R.Gowen: Other Relationship; Abbott Diabetes, Ascensia Diabetes Care, Beta Bionics, Inc., Dexcom, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Insulet Corporation, LifeScan, Medtronic, Roche Diabetes Care, Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc., Virta Health Corp. E.Ye: Employee; dQ&A. R.Wood: Other Relationship; Multiple companies and patient organizations (>10) .
