Obese patients may face institutional risk factors in addition to health problems.

Those who want to understand barriers to healthcare for obese patients or those trying to improve health outcomes for obese patients may be interested in applying for a grant from the National Institutes of Health.

America’s obesity problem is growing fast, and according to the request for proposals, the largest increases are among those with extreme obesity (body-mass index equal to or greater than 40). Almost 5 percent of U.S. adults have a BMI greater than 40. And 17 percent of children and adolescents are overweight. Obesity leads to a variety of health problems. 

What We Don’t Know About Obesity

The NIH thinks it’s possible that changes to accommodate the need of obese patients may improve some health outcomes, independent of weight loss. But the NIH doesn’t know the extent to which obesity makes the provision or receipt of healthcare more difficult.

Some examples of what troubles the NIH:

            • Obese patients who undergo trauma or who are critically ill have worse outcomes than the non-obese, but underlying risk factors such as compromised airway or pre-existing cardiac dysfunction may be exacerbated by lack of knowledge regarding treatment modifications that may be required in obesity. 

            • There is little information about drug dosing for patients with obesity.

            • Infrastructure may contribute to inadequate care, due to limitations in diagnostic equipment and technology, as well as size and weight limitations of supplies and equipment. 

Research Needed in These Areas

Examples of areas for study include:

            • Limitations of diagnostic testing or medical procedures on health outcomes in obese patients;

            • Patient or provider factors that lead to delayed screening, preventive care, or treatment in obese patients;

            • Modifications to the health care setting that change access to care, patient satisfaction, and health outcomes in obese patients; and

            • Modification of medication dosage or delivery in obese patients.

The next due date for applications is June 5; after that, it’s Oct. 5. The size and duration of each award will vary with the nature and scope of the proposed research. A long list of organizations and institutions are eligible, including colleges and universities, nonprofits, small businesses, state agencies, and local governments.