Rural residents have higher body mass indexes and obesity levels than urban residents. However, few studies have investigated rural healthcare providers’ perceptions of current obesity management practices. While related studies have focused solely on physician perspectives, healthcare providers such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare professionals play vital roles to provide necessary access to care in rural areas. Studies on primary care provider perceptions of rural obesity management provide important insight on the current barriers and necessary improvements to address the obesity epidemic. Providers also report low patient motivation for weight management. Examination of both provider and patient perspectives of motivation to manage weight should provide avenues for improved patient centered solutions with informed efforts from primary stakeholders.The project will investigate how patients and providers can better understand each other to improve patient centered solutions for rural obesity management.