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Motivational Interviewing (MI) in Obesity Care : Cultivating Person-Centered and Supportive Clinical Conversations to Reduce Stigma: A Narrative Review

Moizé, Violeta ; Graham, Yitka ; Salas, Ximena Ramos LU orcid and Balcells, Mercè (2025) In Obesity Science Practice 11(1). p.70057-70057
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Patients perceive high levels of weight prejudice, stigma, and discrimination within health systems, affecting their ability to manage their obesity and related chronic conditions. Scientific and patient obesity associations worldwide have prioritized the reduction of weight stigma to improve patient experiences in health systems and overall health outcomes. Since a significant proportion of the population is now living with multiple chronic diseases related to obesity, healthcare systems must shift toward multi-disease management frameworks incorporating person-centered and non-stigmatizing clinical conversations. Motivational Interviewing (MI) has the potential to transform clinical interactions by using non-stigmatizing... (More)

BACKGROUND: Patients perceive high levels of weight prejudice, stigma, and discrimination within health systems, affecting their ability to manage their obesity and related chronic conditions. Scientific and patient obesity associations worldwide have prioritized the reduction of weight stigma to improve patient experiences in health systems and overall health outcomes. Since a significant proportion of the population is now living with multiple chronic diseases related to obesity, healthcare systems must shift toward multi-disease management frameworks incorporating person-centered and non-stigmatizing clinical conversations. Motivational Interviewing (MI) has the potential to transform clinical interactions by using non-stigmatizing language, communication, and practices. Studies using MI in obesity management have solely focused on weight loss outcomes, while other patient experience related outcomes would also be relevant to evaluate.

METHODS: A narrative review was undertaken to critically analyze the potential impact of MI on obesity and chronic disease management practices and experiences.

FINDINGS: An analysis and contextualization of the MI theoretical framework for obesity management, based on the philosophy of motivational spirit, was reviewed, assessing micro skills or strategies.

CONCLUSION: MI may assist healthcare professionals conduct non-stigmatizing clinical conversations in accordance with basic principles of collaborative therapeutic alliances. A proposal for research considerations that can help illuminate the potential for of MI in obesity management is also outlined.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; and
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Obesity Science Practice
volume
11
issue
1
pages
70057 - 70057
publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
external identifiers
  • pmid:39936107
  • scopus:85217522692
ISSN
2055-2238
DOI
10.1002/osp4.70057
language
English
LU publication?
no
additional info
© 2025 The Author(s). Obesity Science & Practice published by World Obesity and The Obesity Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
id
df938d0b-91ed-4a32-bef5-b5a25f922fb7
date added to LUP
2026-02-18 12:51:15
date last changed
2026-02-19 11:01:50
@article{df938d0b-91ed-4a32-bef5-b5a25f922fb7,
  abstract     = {{<p>BACKGROUND: Patients perceive high levels of weight prejudice, stigma, and discrimination within health systems, affecting their ability to manage their obesity and related chronic conditions. Scientific and patient obesity associations worldwide have prioritized the reduction of weight stigma to improve patient experiences in health systems and overall health outcomes. Since a significant proportion of the population is now living with multiple chronic diseases related to obesity, healthcare systems must shift toward multi-disease management frameworks incorporating person-centered and non-stigmatizing clinical conversations. Motivational Interviewing (MI) has the potential to transform clinical interactions by using non-stigmatizing language, communication, and practices. Studies using MI in obesity management have solely focused on weight loss outcomes, while other patient experience related outcomes would also be relevant to evaluate.</p><p>METHODS: A narrative review was undertaken to critically analyze the potential impact of MI on obesity and chronic disease management practices and experiences.</p><p>FINDINGS: An analysis and contextualization of the MI theoretical framework for obesity management, based on the philosophy of motivational spirit, was reviewed, assessing micro skills or strategies.</p><p>CONCLUSION: MI may assist healthcare professionals conduct non-stigmatizing clinical conversations in accordance with basic principles of collaborative therapeutic alliances. A proposal for research considerations that can help illuminate the potential for of MI in obesity management is also outlined.</p>}},
  author       = {{Moizé, Violeta and Graham, Yitka and Salas, Ximena Ramos and Balcells, Mercè}},
  issn         = {{2055-2238}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{70057--70057}},
  publisher    = {{Wiley-Blackwell}},
  series       = {{Obesity Science Practice}},
  title        = {{Motivational Interviewing (MI) in Obesity Care : Cultivating Person-Centered and Supportive Clinical Conversations to Reduce Stigma: A Narrative Review}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/osp4.70057}},
  doi          = {{10.1002/osp4.70057}},
  volume       = {{11}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}