The Role of The Primary Care Physician in Obesity Prevention

Abstract

Obesity (BMI≥30kg/m2) is a well-evidenced risk factor for a number of chronic conditions and is a public health concern. In Newfoundland and Labrador one in three adults are classified as obese. Primary care physicians are often the only medical professional a patient may see and research suggests that patients listen to and act on the advice provided to them by their primary care doctor. To review the published and grey literature on the role of the primary care physician in obesity prevention and to examine physicians’ perceived and actual barriers to providing information, medical advice and lifestyle counseling to their patients. PubMed and Canadian provincial Ministry of Health websites were searched. Intense, long-term counseling aimed at permanent lifestyle changes overtime was the key to preventing obesity and helping patients lose extra weight. Patients were most likely to implement lifestyle changes if their family doctor counseled them. However, a number of perceived and actual barriers prevented primary care physicians from doing so. These included a lack of: remuneration, time, physician knowledge/training and teaching resource as well as a negative bias on the part of health care provider towards those who were overweight or obese. Primary health care physicians play an important role in the prevention/management of obesity. As a respected and accessible health care professional, increased resources, training and supports must be put in place in order for primary care physicians to play a more active role in reducing the burden of obesity in our population.