Physician-reported practices regarding obesity management in patients aged under 60 years with osteoarthritis in Jordan: a cross-sectional survey

Obesity is an important modifiable risk factor for the development and progression of osteoarthritis (OA), particularly in weight-bearing joints. However, limited information is available regarding physicians’ practices in addressing obesity among patients with OA in Jordan. This study assessed self-reported obesity-management practices among physicians caring for patients aged under 60 years with OA. Methods We conducted an anonymous, cross-sectional convenience survey between December 2021 and January 2022. Physicians from orthopaedics, family medicine, general internal medicine, and rheumatology were recruited through professional networks and social-media platforms. Participants worked in Ministry of Health, private, university, and military healthcare institutions in Jordan. The questionnaire assessed obesity-related counselling, weight or body mass index (BMI) monitoring, consultation time, and referral for weight-reduction interventions among patients aged under 60 years with obesity and OA. Results A total of 308 physicians completed the questionnaire. Of these, 162 (52.6%) were orthopedic specialists or trainees and 146 (47.4%) were from other specialties, including primary care, general internal medicine, rheumatology, and general surgery. A total of 138 (44.8%) respondents worked in Ministry of Health healthcare institutions, 87 (28.2%) worked in the private sector, and 83 (26.9%) worked in university or military institutions. Eighty-five respondents (27.6%) reported explaining the effect of obesity on weight-bearing joints to almost all patients with obesity and OA, whereas 149 (48.4%) did so for approximately half of their patients and 74 (24.0%) rarely or never did so. Only 26 respondents (8.4%) reported monitoring weight or BMI in almost all target patients, while 187 (60.7%) reported doing so rarely or in only a few patients. Referral for dietetic or other weight-reduction interventions was reported for almost all target patients by 31 respondents (10.1%), whereas 152 (49.4%) reported rarely or never making such referrals. The remaining respondents reported counselling, monitoring, or referral for approximately half of their target patients. Conclusions Among participating physicians in Jordan, obesity counselling, weight or BMI monitoring, and referral for weight-reduction interventions were inconsistently incorporated into the management of patients aged under 60 years with OA. These findings support the integration of routine weight assessment, structured obesity counselling, and accessible multidisciplinary referral pathways into OA care. Because this study used convenience sampling and self-reported data, the findings should not be assumed to represent all physicians practising in Jordan.