Evidence mapPaperPMID 41826983Full record

ArticleBMC medical education2026

Gaps in obesity education - thematic narrative analysis from healthcare graduates: findings from the Erasmus Mundus EMINENT project.

Tak Ying Louise Ko, Francisca Contreras, Carel W le Roux, Werd Al-Najim

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC medical education, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing 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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
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

4 authors.

Tak Ying Louise KoDiabetes Complications Research Centre, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Francisca ContrerasDiabetes Complications Research Centre, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Carel W le RouxDiabetes Complications Research Centre, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Werd Al-NajimDiabetes Complications Research Centre, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland. werd.al-najim@ucd.ie.

Funding

European Commission's Erasmus Mundus Design Measure 101128158
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundObesity is a complex, chronic disease with significant global health implications, yet its management remains underrepresented in medical and allied health education. Despite recommendations for structured obesity education, healthcare professionals (HCPs) report inadequate training, contributing to gaps in knowledge, competency, and clinical preparedness. This study explores the perspectives of newly qualified HCPs regarding their training in obesity management, aiming to identify educational deficiencies and inform future curriculum improvements.

methodsA qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 21 recently graduated HCPs from various disciplines, including medicine, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and dietetics. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis framework, allowing for an in-depth exploration of participants’ experiences and perceptions.

resultsNine key themes emerged, highlighting a lack of structured curriculum, minimal teaching time, and limited clinical exposure to obesity management. Obesity was primarily taught as a comorbidity rather than a distinct disease, with a disproportionate focus on surgical interventions while neglecting lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy, and behavioural counselling. Many graduates reported feeling underprepared for patient-centred discussions on weight management, with little training in addressing weight stigma. Clinical exposure was inconsistent, with obesity management rarely encountered outside bariatric surgery. Additionally, reliance on non-academic sources, such as social media, underscored the failure of formal education to provide evidence-based obesity training.

conclusionThis study identifies critical deficiencies in obesity education, reinforcing the need for standardized, competency-based training across healthcare curricula. Integrating comprehensive obesity management, increasing hands-on clinical exposure, and incorporating structured training in lifestyle interventions and weight stigma awareness are essential steps to enhance HCP preparedness. Addressing these gaps is crucial to improving obesity care and patient outcomes in clinical practice.

Indexed as

CurriculumHealth PersonnelObesityObesity ManagementAdultClinical CompetenceFemaleHumansMaleQualitative ResearchClinical preparednessHealthcare curriculumMedical educationObesity educationQualitative research

Identifiers

PMID41826983
PMCPMC13101113

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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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 Socratic graph.