The Singapore Family Physician

Back to issue Vol 49 No. 9 - Basic Obesity Management Accreditation 3

A Practical Approach to the Patient with Obesity

Lim Yuan Ling Amanda
Lam Chih Chiang Benjamin
The Singapore Family Physician Vol 49 No 9 - Basic Obesity Management Accreditation 3
12 - 19
1 October 2023
0377-5305
The prevalence of obesity and obesity-related comorbidities is rising in Singapore and across the globe. Primary care physicians are at the frontline of healthcare and play a central role in the management of obesity. In this article, we discuss the 5As framework (Ask, Assess, Advise, Agree, and Assist) as a practical framework for obesity counselling, focusing on how to initiate the conversation and assess the person with obesity. The assessment includes taking a weight history, excluding secondary causes, understanding lifestyle factors contributing to weight gain, and assessing for complications of obesity. This assessment then makes possible subsequent patient engagement, which would include advising, agreeing (goal setting), and assisting the patient on an individualised care plan.