Factors Associated with the Acceptance of Weight Loss Drugs Among Overweight and Obese Adults in Mainland China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE

With the growing burden of overweight and obesity, weight-loss pharmacotherapy has emerged as an effective treatment option. However, patient acceptance remains a significant barrier to treatment uptake and adherence. This study investigated the acceptance of weight loss drugs (WLDs) among overweight and obese adults in mainland China, as well as related social-demographic, clinical, and psychosocial determinants.

METHODS

Data were drawn from the 2021 Psychology and Behaviour Investigation of Chinese Residents (PBICR) study, including 2577 Chinese adults with BMI ≥24 kg/m2. WLDs acceptance was measured using a score from 0 to 100. Statistical analyses included analysis of variance, Pearson correlation, and stepwise linear regression, with subgroup analyses stratified by body weight and chronic disease status.

RESULTS

Higher family income, social support, and anxiety levels were positively correlated with the acceptance of weight loss drugs. Age ≥ 60 years, comorbidities, smoking, better dietary behaviors, and poorer family health were negatively correlated with acceptance. Acceptance of WLDs varied across occupational groups and weight status categories. Dietary behaviors were also positively correlated with acceptance. Subgroup analysis showed significant heterogeneity in the influencing factors.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed low acceptance of WLDs among adults with overweight and obesity in mainland China. Acceptance is closely related to a variety of social demographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors. These findings highlight personalized treatment plans for obesity medications to enhance treatment compliance.