Why Are Family Doctors Not Talking About Obesity?

• From 1994 to 2004, the percentage of obese Americans rose from 23% to 34%.

According to Penn State researchers…

• From 1995-1996 to 2007-2008, the percentage of weight counseling visits performed by primary care physicians declined from 7.8% to 6.2%.
• Not surprisingly, the rates of diet and exercise counseling decreased by similar percentages.
• And if that wasn’t bad enough, the greatest declines were seen with patients suffering from hypertension, diabetes and obesity.

What the heck is going on here?

Obesity, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes rates are increasing year after year and it seems that our doctors are too shy to talk to us about it.

Any thoughts?

• Have our doctors given up hope that they can convince their patients to tackle their obesity problem?
• Has the overall increase in obesity make overweight patients look “normal” in the eyes of their physicians?
• Do overweight doctors feel like hypocrites dispensing advice on nutrition & exercise?

style="color: #ff0000;">What do you think???

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