[Representations, behaviour and obesity] Revue médicale suisse [Rev Med Suisse] Journal article

Dealing with a long term chronic disease necessarily implies changes of behaviour. In the field of obesity, these behaviours concern habits which are very often firmly fixed in patients' lives. The study of patients' representations is of great interest in the medical field. Representations guide behaviours and therefore build up an important factor which determines the adherence to the treatment. Representations always have a foundation and making them rise up induces a non-judge-mental attitude. The health care provider can help the patient make them evolve. It must be highlighted that health care providers' representations are also important, particularly in the therapeutic relationship. This article proposes a reflection on the obese patients follow-up situation as well as some clinical implications.

Revue médicale suisse [Rev Med Suisse]