Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: The global prevalence of obesity continues to rise, posing significant challenges to individual health and public healthcare systems. The term artificial intelligence is gaining attention in healthcare, seen as a means to resolve difficulties experienced by students, educators, health professionals, and patients. Despite its potential to support behavior change and improve outcomes, there is a lack of knowledge about obese adults' perceptions of using artificial intelligence in weight management counseling. This study aims to explore the perceptions of obese adults regarding the use of artificial intelligence for weight management counseling.
METHODS: Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 16 obese adults recruited using convenience sampling. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The results were analyzed through thematic content analysis.
RESULTS: Three main themes and eight subthemes emerged. The main themes included trust and acceptability of artificial intelligence, motivations and barriers to using artificial intelligence tools and expectations of artificial intelligence’s potential role. Subthemes included lack of personalized recommendations, greater trust in healthcare professionals, concerns about the reliability of information, appreciation for convenience, concerns about cost and data privacy, expectation for individualized advice, desire for real-time and adaptive feedback, and preference for artificial intelligence as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for doctors.
CONCLUSIONS: While participants saw the convenience and potential benefits of artificial intelligence, their concerns about personalization, data security, and professional credibility highlight the importance of implementing it with caution and thoughtfulness. To enhance the effectiveness of artificial intelligence in aiding sustainable weight management, future research and development should focus on addressing these issues.