Factors that influence general practitioners’ obesity-related clinical practices and determinants of behaviour to target to promote best practice in obesity care: a qualitative exploration

Introduction: General practitioners (GPs) have been identified as pivotal in the identification and initiation of treatment for obesity, yet effective obesity management remains challenging in general practice. Despite the growing prevalence of obesity and the central role of GPs, there is a dearth of research exploring their experiences and challenges in managing the disease.Objective: This study aimed to understand these challenges by exploring GPs’ experiences and to identify factors influencing their obesity management practices to inform the development of targeted intervention strategies. Method: In-depth interviews were conducted with ten GPs. Data were analysed using abductive thematic analysis underpinned by the theoretical domains framework (TDF). Findings were mapped to the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) and the Behaviour Change Taxonomy (BCT) to identify potential future intervention strategies.Findings: Participants described multiple barriers to effective obesity management, including knowledge gaps, lack of training, patient factors, and systemic challenges. Key themes identified were the need for increased support, improved patient engagement, and system-level changes.Conclusion: This study offers valuable insights into the challenges GPs encounter when managing obesity in general practice. Application of the TDF and BCW frameworks identified complex interactions between knowledge, beliefs, and environmental factors influencing GP behaviour. These findings highlight key areas for targeted interventions to enhance obesity care and drive best practice.