Objectives: To explore the perceptions of obese primary health center (PHC) visitors regarding the practice of weight management in primary healthcare settings.

Methodology: A self–administered questionnaire was administered to 387 overweight and obese visitors of PHCs in Dammam and Al Khobar in 2018.

Results: About two–thirds of PHC visitors were obese. Most PHC visitors (71.6%) reported that PHC programs did not support them in their weight management. Overall, obese PHC visitors did not report negative interactions with their physicians. Of the obese visitors, 46.8% to 65.1% were satisfied with the level of the healthcare provided, while 23.0% to 35.1% were dissatisfied. The study shows a significant relationship between self–perception and actual body weight (p = 0.000).

Conclusion: The study suggests that obesity is not adequately managed in Saudi Arabia. Obese visitors had good impressions of weight management and a high level of satisfaction with the general care provided to them