Physicians know they're on the front lines in the fight against obesity, but many say they don't have staff able to help patients with weight loss, according to a survey of 290 primary-care physicians by Harris Interactive.
Among the findings:
*89% of doctors believe it's their responsibility to help patients lose weight.
* 72% say no one in their office has been trained to deal with weight problems.
*87% weigh patients at every office visit.
*45% say they regularly discuss weight with their patients.
*86% say they find it easy to discuss weight with their patients.
"What came through in the survey is that physicians don't have many of the tools they need to help people succeed," says Christine Ferguson, director of the STOP Obesity Alliance, a coalition of professional groups, businesses, unions, insurers and health care providers.
Physicians who practice alone or in small groups don't need nutritionists on staff, but they need access to groups in the community that can help patients, Ferguson says. "Bigger medical groups ought to have health professionals on staff who are trained in treating obesity.
"In the next five to 10 years, we are going to have to ramp this up, and physicians are going to have help patients lose weight," she says.
Government statistics show about 34% of U.S. adults are obese, which increases their risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, many types of cancer and other diseases.
In a separate telephone survey of 1,002 adults in the USA, also by Harris Interactive, only about one-third of those who are obese -- roughly 30 or more pounds over a healthy weight -- say they have been told by a health care professional they are too heavy. Of the patients who were told they are obese, most (90%) were advised to lose weight. Of those advised to lose weight, 36% say the medical professional never discussed ways to achieve a healthier weight.
The STOP Obesity Alliance, which commissioned the surveys, is releasing a position paper today at stopobesityalliance.org to give doctors guidance on treating patients' weight problems during office visits.
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