Weight loss advice U.S. obese adults receive from health care professionals

Abstract

Objectives To estimate the prevalence of obese patients advised by health professionals about weight loss and weight loss strategies. Methods A national sample of 1,873 obese adults (body mass index =30 kg/m2, = 18 years) was surveyed. Multivariable linear regression was used to determine characteristics associated with receiving weight loss advice, and advice on diet and physical activity. Linear regression was used to evaluate characteristics associated with how much weight loss was advised. Results Among obese adults visiting a physician (past 12 months), 39.0% reported being advised to lose weight. Men had lower odds of being advised to lose weight. Adults 40 – 49 years of age, reporting fair/poor health, and chronic diseases had greater odds of being advised to lose weight compared to referent groups. Among adults receiving advice on amount of weight to lose, a mean 20.9% total body weight reduction was recommended. Of those advised to lose weight, 64.2% were told to change their diet, 85.7% to increase physical activity, and 58.5% to use both strategies. Conclusions Obese adults should be advised by health professionals more frequently about weight loss and the use of caloric reduction and increased physical activity as the recommended weight loss strategy.

Gender Differences in Medical Advice and Health Behavior of Obese African Americans With and Without Type 2 Diabetes

“…Arfken and Houston (1996) found approximately half of obese inner-city African American adults surveyed reported receiving medical advice to reduce fats. These results are consistent with several more recent studies that found 40% to 50% of obese populations did not receive advice for diet and exercise (Ha et al, 2011 and references therein; Ko et al, 2008). Undertreatment for obesity may be that health care providers are not conceptualizing it as a disease (Bardia et al, 2007).…”

Insights from the POWER Practice-Based Weight Loss Trial: A Focus Group Study on the PCP’s Role in Weight Management

“…[6][7][8][9] Further, studies have shown that, in practice, about one-third of obese adults are given an obesity diagnosis, less than half are advised to lose weight and approximately one-fifth receive counseling for weight reduction. 10,11 Taken together, these studies suggest that national recommendations for obesity treatment in primary care settings are not uniformly being translated into practice.…”

Weight management advice: What do doctors recommend to their patients?

“…Primary care physicians are in a key position to assess the weight status of their patients and offer sound advice on effective weight management approaches. Yet, studies suggest that obesity is often not addressed during physician-patient encounters (Galuska et al, 1999;Sciamanna et al, 2000;Abid et al, 2005;Bish et al, 2005;Ford et al, 2005;Jackson et al, 2005;Loureiro & Nayga, 2006;Ko et al, 2008).…”