Correlates of Healthcare Patients’ Interest in and Use of Medication and Non-Evidence-Based Approaches to Weight Loss

PurposeExplore correlates of interest in and use of non-evidence-based practices (e.g., supplements, home remedies) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1s) for weight loss.DesignOnline cross-sectional survey.SettingHealthcare patients of a large academic health system in the Southeast United States.SamplePatients (N = 190) with BMI ≥30 kg/m².MeasuresInterest in and past use of non-evidence-based practices and GLP-1s for obesity, and psychosocial factors, such as distrust in pharmaceutical corporations, preference for naturalness (i.e., favoring approaches described as natural over conventional medications), and expected weight loss were measured.AnalysisBivariate associations and multivariable regressions.ResultsInterest in non-evidence-based practices was greater among women and Black/African American patients (<i>P</i> < 0.05) and positively associated with perception of social norms for use (<i>P</i> < 0.01) and weight loss expectations with use (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Past use of non-evidence-based practices was associated with greater pharmaceutical distrust (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Interest in GLP-1s was associated with lower education (<i>P</i> < 0.05) and naturalness preference (<i>P</i> < 0.01), and greater social norms (<i>P</i> < 0.001), weight risk perceptions, and weight loss expectations (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Past use of GLP-1s was associated with lower expected weight loss with GLP-1s (<i>P</i> < 0.05).ConclusionFindings can inform patient education to help steer patients towards evidence-based treatments and away from ineffective approaches.