Objective-To examine national physician practice patterns of obesity care and the predictors of these practices.Methods-We analyzed cross-sectional clinical encounter data. Obese adults were obtained from the 2005 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (N=2458).Results-A third of obese adults received an obesity diagnosis (28.9%) and approximately a fifth received counseling for weight reduction (17.6%), diet (25.2%), or exercise (20.5%). Women (OR = 1.54; 95%CI: 1.14, 2.09), young adults ages 18 to 29 (OR = 2.61; 95%CI: 1.37, 4.97), and severely/morbidly obese individuals (class II: OR 2.08; 95%CI: 1.53, 2.83; class III: OR 4.36; 95% CI: 3.09, 6.16) were significantly more likely to receive an obesity diagnosis. One of the biggest predictors of weight-related counseling was an obesity diagnosis (weight reduction: OR = 5.72; 95%CI: 4.01, 8.17; diet: OR = 2.89; 95%CI: 2.05, 4.06; exercise: OR = 2.54; 95%CI: 1.67, 3.85). Other predictors of weight-related counseling included seeing a cardiologist/other internal medicine specialist, a preventive visit, or spending more time with the doctor (p < 0.05).Conclusions-Most obese patients do not receive an obesity diagnosis or weight-related counseling.Practice Implications-Preventive visits may provide a key opportunity for obese patients to receive weight-related counseling from their physician.

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Micronutrients include electrolytes, minerals, vitamins, and carotenoids, and are required in microgram or milligram quantities for cellular metabolism. The liver plays an important role in micronutrient metabolism and this metabolism often is altered in chronic liver diseases. Here, we review how the liver contributes to micronutrient metabolism; how impaired micronutrient metabolism may be involved in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a systemic disorder of energy, glucose, and lipid homeostasis; and how insights gained from micronutrient biology have informed NAFLD therapeutics. Finally, we highlight some of the challenges and opportunities that remain with investigating the contribution of micronutrients to NAFLD pathology and suggest strategies to incorporate our understanding into the care of NAFLD patients.

Currently, about a quarter of the population reports keeping a GFD despite GRDs affecting less than half of these individuals. Reduced intake of calcium, B vitamins, and fiber as well as enhanced consumption of fat and simple carbohydrates has consistently been reported and needs to be continually addressed. Although a necessity in proper management of GRDs, unforeseen nutritional complications may develop in patients who are gluten free for which enhanced physician awareness is vital to achieving optimal patient care.

Purpose of Review Excessive adiposity has become a public health problem worldwide, contributing to the rise in obesity-related diseases and associated morbidity and mortality. This review details the relative significance of race/ethnicity as it pertains to adiposity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Recent Findings Fat distribution remains a more reliable measure of adiposity than anthropometric measures, with visceral adipose tissue (VAT) associated with increased risk of cardiometabolic disease. While obesity is the most common risk factor for NAFLD, the racial/ethnic prevalence of obesity does not completely parallel NAFLD risk. Summary Combating racial/ethnic disparities in obesity requires understanding differential risk among various groups. Hispanics are disproportionally impacted by NAFLD and have high rates of obesity, VAT, and insulin resistance (IR). This contrasts with Blacks, who have high prevalence of obesity and IR, accompanied by a paradoxically favorable lipid profile and low prevalence of VAT and NAFLD. Many features of adiposity and NAFLD are mediated by genetic and environmental factors, the latter being modifiable and the focus of interventions.