DO POLISH MEDICAL STUDENTS ACQUIRE SUFFICIENT COMPETENCIES FOR EFFECTIVE OBESITY MANAGEMENT? A CROSS-SECTIONAL ASSESSMENT

Julia Ciesielska; Jan Małysz; Magdalena Kijowska; Barbara Cepielik; Jacek Dziedzic; Tomasz Skoczylas

doi:10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5686

Authors

Julia Ciesielska Student Scientific Association at the 2nd Department of General and Gastroenterological Surgery and Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology, University Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Lublin, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5256-1323
Jan Małysz MedAI Student Scientific Association at the Department of Medical Informatics and Statistics, including the e-Health Laboratory, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4715-6293
Magdalena Kijowska Student Scientific Association at the 2nd Department of General and Gastroenterological Surgery and Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology, University Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Lublin, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1086-7086
Barbara Cepielik Student Scientific Association at the 2nd Department of General and Gastroenterological Surgery and Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology, University Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Lublin, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4068-2750
Jacek Dziedzic 2nd Department of General and Gastroenterological Surgery and Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology, University Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Lublin, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8016-2728
Tomasz Skoczylas 2nd Department of General and Gastroenterological Surgery and Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology, University Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Lublin, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1276-3828

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5686

Keywords:

Obesity Management; Clinical Competencies; Medical Education; Medical Students; Bariatric Surgery

Abstract

Background: Obesity is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide, affecting an increasing number of populations. Despite its growing prevalence, awareness and understanding remain insufficient, contributing to its status as a major global health concern. This study evaluates whether students acquire the clinical knowledge and competencies necessary for effective obesity prevention, diagnosis, and management during their education.

Methods: An anonymous survey was conducted between February and October 2025. It involved 348 medical students in their fourth to sixth years of study. The survey consisted of 25 questions, most using a Likert scale, covering areas such as misconceptions about obesity, perception of obesity as a disease, evaluation of the current academic curriculum on obesity-related topics, and assessment of students' abilities to manage obese patients. The data were analyzed using statistical methods.

Results: Analysis showed that obesity is covered only fragmentarily throughout the curriculum, usually alongside other conditions rather than as a separate disease entity. Common myths and misconceptions remain a considerable challenge for most students. Significant gaps persist in both theoretical knowledge (particularly in a metabolic and bariatric surgery field) and practical training related to obesity and obese patients management. Although medical students progress through the program, uncertainty and deficiencies in clinical competencies remain apparent.

Conclusion: The current academic program is inconsistent and only superficially addresses the topic of obesity. Modification of the curriculum is required to integrate practical training, foster strategic thinking and improve the diagnostic and therapeutic process, enabling students to optimize patient care outcomes in response to the obesity epidemic.

References

World Health Organization. (n.d.). Obesity and overweight. Retrieved November 19, 2025, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight

Zhang, X., Liu, J., Ni, Y., Yi, C., Fang, Y., Ning, Q., Shen, B., Zhang, K., Liu, Y., Yang, L., Liu, K., Liu, Y., Hu, R., & Liu, Z. (2024). Global prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 178(8), 800–813. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.1576

Polskie Towarzystwo Leczenia Otyłości. (2024). Zalecenia kliniczne dotyczące postępowania u chorych na otyłość 2024: Stanowisko Polskiego Towarzystwa Leczenia Otyłości. Retrieved November 19, 2025, from https://ptlo.org.pl/aktualnosci/258-zalecenia_kliniczne_dotyczace_postepowania_u_chorych_na_otylosc_2024_stanowisko_polskiego_towarzystwa_leczenia_otylosci

World Health Organization. (n.d.). Brief review of results from round 6 of COSI (WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative) 2022–2024. Retrieved November 19, 2025, from https://www.who.int/europe/publications/m/item/brief-review-of-results-from-round-6-of-cosi-2022-2024

Global, regional, and national prevalence of adult overweight and obesity, 1990–2021, with forecasts to 2050: A forecasting study for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. (2025). The Lancet, 405(10481). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(25)00355-1

World Health Organization. Regional Office for Europe. (2022). WHO European Regional Obesity Report 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2025, from https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/9789289057738

NORC at the University of Chicago. (2022). Americans view obesity as top health threat: A brief of the survey. Retrieved November 19, 2025, from https://www.norc.org/content/dam/norc-org/pdfs/ASMBS%20Obesity%20Poll_Brief%202_3.1.22%20.pdf

Holistycznie o problemie otyłości w Polsce. (n.d.). Retrieved November 19, 2025, from https://samorzad.gov.pl/attachment/3bd4c8d5-f052-4d6b-946d-e5c8c480ad82

Phelan, S. M., Burgess, D. J., Burke, S. E., Przedworski, J. M., Dovidio, J. F., Hardeman, R., Mayo, M., & van Ryn, M. (2015). Beliefs about the causes of obesity in a national sample of 4th year medical students. Patient Education and Counseling, 98(11), 1446–1449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2015.06.017

Bray, G. A., Heisel, W. E., Afshin, A., Jensen, M. D., Dietz, W. H., Long, M., Kushner, R. F., Daniels, S. R., Wadden, T. A., Tsai, A. G., Hu, F. B., Jakicic, J. M., Ryan, D. H., Wolfe, B. M., & Inge, T. H. (2018). The science of obesity management: An Endocrine Society scientific statement. Endocrine Reviews, 39(2), 79–132. https://doi.org/10.1210/er.2017-00253

Obesity phenotypes: Normal-weight individuals with metabolic disorders versus metabolically healthy obese. (n.d.). Medical Research Journal. Retrieved April 28, 2026, from https://journals.viamedica.pl/medical_research_journal/article/view/MRJ.2016.0016

Machado, A. M., Guimarães, N. S., Bocardi, V. B., da Silva, T. P. R., Carmo, A. S. D., Menezes, M. C., & Duarte, C. K. (2022). Understanding weight regain after a nutritional weight loss intervention: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, 49, 138–153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2022.03.020

van Baak, M. A., & Mariman, E. C. M. (2025). Physiology of weight regain after weight loss: Latest insights. Current Obesity Reports, 14(1), Article 28. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-025-00619-x

Petrin, C., Kahan, S., Turner, M., Gallagher, C., & Dietz, W. H. (2017). Current attitudes and practices of obesity counselling by health care providers. Obesity Research & Clinical Practice, 11(3), 352–359. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orcp.2016.08.005

Campos, A., Fantasia, K. L., & Rizo, I. (2025). Knowledge, attitudes, and practices in obesity among trained and in-training primary care providers in an urban safety-net hospital system. Obesity Pillars, 15, Article 100185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obpill.2025.100185

Pennings, N., Varney, C., Hines, S., Riley, B., Happel, P., Patel, S., & Bays, H. E. (2025). Obesity management in primary care: A joint clinical perspective and expert review from the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) and the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP)—2025. Obesity Pillars, 14, Article 100172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obpill.2025.100172

Tucker, S., Bramante, C., Conroy, M., Fitch, A., Gilden, A., Wittleder, S., & Jay, M. (2021). The most undertreated chronic disease: Addressing obesity in primary care settings. Current Obesity Reports, 10(3), 396–408. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-021-00444-y

Drozdowska, I., Doroszewska, A., & Pasierski, T. (2025). Doctor-patient communication in obesity disease—The perspective of Polish primary care physicians. BMC Primary Care, 26(1), Article 101. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-025-02797-y

Greaney, M. L., Cohen, S. A., Xu, F., Ward-Ritacco, C. L., & Riebe, D. (2020). Healthcare provider counselling for weight management behaviours among adults with overweight or obesity: A cross-sectional analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011–2018. BMJ Open, 10(11), Article e039295. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039295

Najwyższa Izba Kontroli. (2024). Informacja o wynikach kontroli: Profilaktyka i leczenie otyłości u osób dorosłych. Retrieved November 19, 2025, from https://www.nik.gov.pl/plik/id,28874,vp,31705.pdf

Azhdam, D. B., Reyhan, I., Grant-Guimaraes, J., & Feinstein, R. (2014). Prevalence and documentation of overweight and obesity in hospitalized children and adolescents. Hospital Pediatrics, 4(6), 377–381. https://doi.org/10.1542/hpeds.2014-0040

Mattar, A., Carlston, D., Sariol, G., Yu, T., Almustafa, A., Melton, G. B., & Ahmed, A. (2017). The prevalence of obesity documentation in primary care electronic medical records. Are we acknowledging the problem? Applied Clinical Informatics, 8(1), 67–79. https://doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2016-07-RA-0115

Matłok, M., Pędziwiatr, M., Major, P., Nowakowski, M., Rubinkiewicz, M., Wyleżoł, M., Budzyński, P., & Budzyński, A. (2015). The knowledge of Polish medical students about surgical treatment of obesity. European Surgery, 47(5), 266–270. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10353-015-0331-y

Böckelman, C., Hahl, T., & Victorzon, M. (2017). Mortality following bariatric surgery compared to other common operations in Finland during a 5-year period (2009–2013): A nationwide registry study. Obesity Surgery, 27(9), 2444–2451. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-017-2664-z

Vinan-Vega, M., Diaz Vico, T., & Elli, E. F. (2019). Bariatric surgery in the elderly patient: Safety and short-time outcome. A case match analysis. Obesity Surgery, 29(3), 1007–1011. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-018-03633-2

Kim, J. C., Kim, M.-G., Park, J. K., Lee, S., Kim, J., Cho, Y.-S., Kong, S.-H., Park, D. J., Lee, H.-J., & Yang, H.-K. (2023). Outcomes and adverse events after bariatric surgery: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis, 2013–2023. Journal of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, 12(2), 76–88. https://doi.org/10.17476/jmbs.2023.12.2.76

Eisenberg, D., Shikora, S. A., Aarts, E., Aminian, A., Angrisani, L., Cohen, R. V., de Luca, M., Faria, S. L., Goodpaster, K. P. S., Haddad, A., Himpens, J. M., Kow, L., Kurian, M., Loi, K., Mahawar, K., Nimeri, A., O’Kane, M., Papasavas, P. K., Ponce, J., … Kothari, S. N. (2023). 2022 American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) indications for metabolic and bariatric surgery. Obesity Surgery, 33(1), 3–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-022-06332-1

Banasiak, M., & Murr, M. M. (2001). Medical school curricula do not address obesity as a disease. Obesity Surgery, 11(6), 677–679. https://doi.org/10.1381/09608920160558597

Martins, C., & Norsett-Carr, A. (2017). Obesity knowledge among final-year medical students in Norway. Obesity Facts, 10(6), 545–558. https://doi.org/10.1159/000481351