Vnitr Lek 2025, 71(6):394-397 | DOI: 10.36290/vnl.2025.074

The role of motivation in obesity treatment

©árka Slabá
Klinika gynekologie, porodnictví a neonatologie 1. LF UK a VFN Praha

Patient motivation plays a key role in obesity treatment, not only at the initiation of lifestyle changes but particularly in their long-term maintenance. This article summarizes current knowledge about motivational processes in individuals with obesity, outlining common barriers and influencing factors through the lens of self-determination theory and behavioral science. It focuses on practical strategies for effective patient communication, enhancing intrinsic motivation, and managing relapse as a normal part of treatment. Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary collaboration and the need for ongoing motivational support throughout the therapeutic process. Motivational support should be integrated into all stages of obesity treatment.

Keywords: behavioral approaches, communication, motivation, multidisciplinary care, obesity.

Accepted: September 21, 2025; Published: October 2, 2025  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Slabá ©. The role of motivation in obesity treatment. Vnitr Lek. 2025;71(6):394-397. doi: 10.36290/vnl.2025.074.
Download citation

References

  1. Bray GA, Kim J, Wilding JPH. Obesity: a chronic relapsing progressive disease process. A position statement of the World Obesity Federation. Obes Rev. 2016;18(7):715-723. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  2. Teixeira PJ, Carraça EV, Marques MM, et al. Motivation, self-determination, and long-term weight control. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2020;17(1):2.
  3. Volkow ND, Koob GF, McLellan AT. Neurobiologic advances from the brain disease model of addiction. N Engl J Med. 2015;374(4):363-371. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  4. Ryan RM, Deci EL. Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness. New York: Guilford Press; 2017. Go to original source...
  5. Ng JYY, Ntoumanis N, Thøgersen-Ntoumani C, et al. Self-determination theory applied to health contexts. Perspect Behav Sci. 2019;42(1):91-108.
  6. Prochaska JO, DiClemente CC. Stages and processes of self-change of smoking. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1983;51(3):390-395. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  7. Rollnick S, Miller WR, Butler CC. Motivační rozhovory v praxi: pomoc lidem změnit se. Přel. Bartoą M. Praha: Portál; 2013.
  8. Martins RK, McNeil DW. Review of motivational interviewing in promoting health behaviors. Clin Psychol Rev. 2019;70:51-62.
  9. Puhl RM, Himmelstein MS, Pearl RL. Weight stigma as a psychosocial contributor to obesity. Am Psychol. 2021;76(9):1301-1313.
  10. Hebl MR, Xu J. Weighing the care: physicians' reactions to the size of a patient. Int J Obes (Lond). 2019;43(2):242-250.
  11. Warziski MT, Sereika SM, Styn MA, Music E, Burke LE. Changes in self-efficacy and dietary adherence: predictors of weight loss success. Appetite. 2021;156:104984.
  12. Schwarzer R, Luszczynska A, Ziegelmann JP, Scholz U, Lippke S. Social-cognitive predictors of physical exercise adherence: three longitudinal studies in rehabilitation. Health Psychol. 2016;25(1):54-65. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  13. Farpour-Lambert NJ, Baker JL, Hassapidou M, et al. Childhood obesity: causes, consequences, and management. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2018;6(4):251-260.
  14. Donnelly JE, Blair SN, Jakicic JM, et al. Mental health comorbidities in obesity management. Obes Rev. 2022;23(3):e13393.
  15. Michie S, Ashford S, Sniehotta FF, et al. A refined taxonomy of behavior change techniques to help people change their physical activity and healthy eating behaviors: the CALO-RE taxonomy. Psychol Health. 2020;25(11):1479-1498. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  16. Čadová E, Mareček J, Novák P, et al. Efektivita krátkých behaviorálních intervencí v léčbě obezity. Prakt Med. 2023;21(1):14-19.
  17. Rubino D, Abrahamsson N, Davies M, et al. Effect of weekly semaglutide on weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity. Lancet. 2022;397(10270):971-984.
  18. Yumuk V, Tsigos C, Fried M, et al. European guidelines for obesity management in adults. Obes Facts. 2023;16(2):67-82.




Vnitřní lékařství

Madam, Sir,
please be aware that the website on which you intend to enter, not the general public because it contains technical information about medicines, including advertisements relating to medicinal products. This information and communication professionals are solely under §2 of the Act n.40/1995 Coll. Is active persons authorized to prescribe or supply (hereinafter expert).
Take note that if you are not an expert, you run the risk of danger to their health or the health of other persons, if you the obtained information improperly understood or interpreted, and especially advertising which may be part of this site, or whether you used it for self-diagnosis or medical treatment, whether in relation to each other in person or in relation to others.

I declare:

  1. that I have met the above instruction
  2. I'm an expert within the meaning of the Act n.40/1995 Coll. the regulation of advertising, as amended, and I am aware of the risks that would be a person other than the expert input to these sites exhibited


No

Yes

If your statement is not true, please be aware
that brings the risk of danger to their health or the health of others.