Gender disparities in weight loss surgery

Obesity is a growing epidemic affecting more than one third of the United States’ population. It has detrimental effects on an individual’s health and is associated with myriad negative outcomes including increased mortality. It also poses a substantial financial burden on the healthcare system. Weight loss surgery is an effective way of treating obesity with tremendous positive outcomes. Most patients who undergo bariatric surgery lose a significant amount of weight, reverse most of their comorbidities, and enjoy an improved quality of life. However, fewer than one percent of patients eligible for bariatric surgery actually undergo treatment. Furthermore, there exists a considerable gender disparity, with women comprising 80% of those patients who undergo bariatric surgery, despite equal obesity rates across genders. Many barriers exist between obese patients and weight loss surgery including misconceptions among patients and primary care providers regarding the perceived risk of surgery. This is in addition to numerous other psychosocial and cultural factors that may have contributed to and precipitated the existing gender imbalance. This review aims to highlight barriers to patients undergoing bariatric surgery and examine factors leading to the gender disparity that exists