“These findings suggest that many people who use, or are considering using weight-management medication still feel concerned about how others may perceive their treatment decisions,” said Dr Kieran Seyan, chief medical officer at Lloyds Online Doctor, which commissioned the research. “Obesity is a chronic health condition, and for some patients, clinically-prescribed medicines can form an important part of evidence-based weight management, alongside lifestyle changes. “In my clinical experience, some patients feel uncomfortable discussing their use of weight-management medication with friends, family or colleagues, despite being open about treatments they take for other long-term health conditions. Almost four-in-five patients said financial pressures have impacted how they use, or have used, their weight-management medication. Previous research has shown that patients wait on average eight years from first being concerned about their weight to discussing it with a healthcare professional.