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Perceived Barriers to Weight Management in Primary Care—Perspectives of Patients and Providers

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Journal of General Internal Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

An Erratum to this article was published on 31 May 2007

An Erratum to this article was published on 31 May 2007

Abstract

Background

Despite the consequences of overweight and obesity, effective weight management is not occurring in primary care.

Objective

To identify beliefs about obesity that act as barriers to weight management in primary care by surveying both patients and providers and comparing their responses.

Design

Anonymous, cross-sectional, self-administered survey of patients and providers of a Veteran’s Administration Primary Care Clinic, distributed at the clinic site.

Subjects

Forty-eight Internal Medicine providers and 488 patients.

Measurements

Beliefs, attitudes, and experiences with weight management as well as demographic characteristics were collected through a questionnaire.

Results

Providers and patients differed significantly on many beliefs about weight. Providers were more likely than patients to perceive that patients lack self-control to stay on a diet and that fattening food in society and lack of time for exercise were prime factors in weight gain. They also expressed more interest in helping patients with weight management than patients desiring this. Patients were more likely to state that weight problems should be managed on one’s own, talking to a provider is not helpful, providers blame them for their weight problem, and that appointments contain sufficient time for weight discussion.

Conclusion

Providers and patients emphasize different barriers to weight management. Providers need to be aware of the beliefs that their patients hold to improve weight management discussions and interventions in primary care.

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Acknowledgement

This study was supported by the Veteran’s Administration Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence for the Study of Provider Behavior, who provided methodologic and statistical support and coauthored the report. Dr. Ruelaz conducted this study as part of a psychosomatic medicine fellowship.

Potential Financial Conflicts of Interest

None disclosed

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Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alicia R. Ruelaz MD.

Additional information

An erratum to this article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11606-007-0236-y

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Ruelaz, A.R., Diefenbach, P., Simon, B. et al. Perceived Barriers to Weight Management in Primary Care—Perspectives of Patients and Providers. J GEN INTERN MED 22, 518–522 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-007-0125-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-007-0125-4

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