With the rates of obesity rising in the United States, primary physicians may be the first and best source of support to provide dietary and exercise advice to their obese patients.
In a new study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Frank et al. investigated the parallels between female physicians’ personal diet-related habits and the counseling they provide to their patients. They found that each physician’s experiences with her weight and the relative healthiness of her diet influence the frequency and emphasis of nutritional advice she gives in her practice.
The 3589 physicians in the study were part of the Women Physicians’ Health Study, a questionnaire-based investigation of the health behaviors and counseling practices of U.S. female physicians. Female physicians who had graduated from medical school between 1950 and 1989 were sampled, providing a representative cross-section of both older and younger doctors.
Physicians were asked about the relevance of nutrition and weight counseling to their practice, and about their self-confidence in counseling situations. Primary care physicians were most likely to offer nutrition counseling. Overall, 50% of physicians reported discussing weight and 43% reported discussing nutrition with their patients at least once a year.
Roughly a third of physicians provided nutrition counseling at every office visit. Not surprisingly, those physicians who had received the most training and who felt the most self-confident in counseling settings were most likely to fit nutrition counseling into their practices.
In general the female physicians consumed a healthy diet, with an average of 3.5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, moderate fat consumption, and an average of 1.3 drinks per week among the 72% who drank alcohol. Doctors with a personal history of obesity, vegetarians, and physicians of nonwhite ethnicity were all significantly more likely to provide nutrition and weight counseling to their patients on a regular basis.3
More than half of the female physicians in the study thought that discussing nutrition and weight with their patients was highly relevant. Further, the findings suggest that physicians who have intentionally altered their own diets are more likely to counsel their patients about nutrition and weight. Both primary and non-primary care physicians should be encouraged to take advantage of “educable moments” during routine office visits, by incorporating practical suggestions for choosing foods to promote a balanced and healthful diet.
Frank, Elsa et al. Personal and professional nutrition-related practices of US female physicians. Am J Clin Nutr 2002;75:326-32.
This media release is provided by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition to provide current information on nutrition-related research.
This information should not be construed as medical advice. If you have a medical concern, consult your doctor. To see the complete text of this article, please go to: http://www.faseb.org/ajcn/February/12464-Frank.pdf
For more information, please contact: efrank@fpm.eushc.org
Journal
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition