OBJECTIVES: The cross-sectional RESOURCE survey collected data to describe demographics, weight-loss attempts, comorbidities, and healthcare resource use (HCRU) of individuals with obesity in Germany.

METHODS: Data were collected from adults (≥18 years) who were part of an existing consumer research panel with a body-mass index ≥30 kg/m² in Germany, November-December 2022. Participants must have interacted with healthcare services in the last 12 months. Patients with a pregnancy during this period or previous participation in a RESOURCE survey were excluded. The survey included questions about demographics, self-reported weight, comorbidities, treatments, and HCRU. Data were de-identified and aggregated for descriptive analysis.

RESULTS: One thousand individuals living with obesity completed the survey (median [IQR] age: 40 years [35.0, 48.0]). Overall, 45% had a BMI ≥30–<35 kg/m², 30% 35–<40 kg/m², and 25% 40–<70 kg/m². Most participants (75%) had lived with obesity for <5 years. Musculoskeletal pain (19%), cardiovascular disease (18%), hypertension (18%) and type-2 diabetes (17%) were the most common comorbidities experienced. Within the past 12 months, most (95%, n=947) participants had attempted to lose weight with 92% reporting ongoing attempts at survey. Weight-loss medication (33%), calorie-controlled diet (26%) and interaction with weight-loss services (26%) were the most common weight-loss methods; 6% underwent bariatric surgery. Only 32% of individuals using weight-loss medication reported funding from the national healthcare system, with 26% self-funding and 36% using private health insurance. Overall, within the past 12 months 79% had been hospitalised for any reason, 77% visited an emergency department and 77% underwent surgery.

CONCLUSIONS: Comorbidities that are significant risk factors for morbidity, mortality, reduced quality of life, absenteeism and presenteeism were prevalent within this young and recently obese sample. Strategies for the prevention of obesity-related conditions, including funding models for obesity treatments, are required to avoid long-term cost implications for health services and society.