Overweight and obese physicians were less likely to talk to their patients about weight loss and felt less confident doing so, according to findings in Obesity.
Researchers used a cross-sectional survey of 500 primary care physicians conducted Feb. 9-March 1, 2011. They found 30 percent of physicians with normal BMI engaged their obese patients in conversations about weight loss compared to only 18 percent of overweight physicians. When physicians thought the patient's body weight met or exceeded their own, 93 percent would record an obesity diagnosis and 89 percent would initiate a weight loss conversation.
When it came to offering advice, 80 percent of physicians with normal BMI thought overweight/obese patients would be less trusting of weight loss advice coming from an overweight/obese physician. In comparison, 69 percent of overweight/obese physicians thought the same. Physicians with normal BMI also had greater confidence in their ability to provide diet (53 versus 37 percent) and exercise counseling (56 versus 38 percent). Physicians with normal BMI were more likely to think that physicians should maintain a healthy weight (72 versus 56 percent) and exercise regularly (73 versus 57 percent).
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Researchers used a cross-sectional survey of 500 primary care physicians conducted Feb. 9-March 1, 2011. They found 30 percent of physicians with normal BMI engaged their obese patients in conversations about weight loss compared to only 18 percent of overweight physicians. When physicians thought the patient's body weight met or exceeded their own, 93 percent would record an obesity diagnosis and 89 percent would initiate a weight loss conversation.
When it came to offering advice, 80 percent of physicians with normal BMI thought overweight/obese patients would be less trusting of weight loss advice coming from an overweight/obese physician. In comparison, 69 percent of overweight/obese physicians thought the same. Physicians with normal BMI also had greater confidence in their ability to provide diet (53 versus 37 percent) and exercise counseling (56 versus 38 percent). Physicians with normal BMI were more likely to think that physicians should maintain a healthy weight (72 versus 56 percent) and exercise regularly (73 versus 57 percent).
Related Articles on Weight Loss:
Study: Breast Cancer Biomarkers Predict Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery
Weight-Loss Surgeons Criticize 1-800-GET-THIN Surgery Centers in Letter to Congress
Study: Bariatric Surgery in Adolescents Improves Obesity-Related Diseases in First Two Years