Publication
Slideshow
Medical Economics Journal
What primary care physicians can do about rising rates of obesity
Author(s):
Overcoming obesity is a daunting goal, especially when patients hear that carrying too much weight is becoming a societal norm in some places. This list should give PCPs useful guidance as they communicate with obese or at-risk patients about effective ways to trim down.
Primary care physicians (PCPs) have a responsibility to their patients to help them stay healthy and safeguarded against the latest threats to their well-being. Therefore, it's crucial for them to tackle the growing problem of obesity. A recent study of obesity prevalence indicated two in five American adults are obese, and the same is true for about 18.5 percent of kids. In addition, the percentage of obese patients is rising in both the adult and child populations.How can physicians respond if their patients are obese or at risk for obesity?Family doctors in the U.S. were polled about 10 chronic disorders, including obesity. They reported that the treatments for obesity were less effective than all but those for drug addiction. These findings suggest a need for PCPs to rethink their strategies when assisting obese patients. The following suggestions could help them do that.
