H-Y Yang1, H-J Chen2, Y-J Hsu3, L J Cheskin4, Y Wang5. 1. Department of Nursing, Mackay Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan; Johns Hopkins Global Center on Childhood Obesity, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA. Electronic address: hyyang@mmc.edu.tw. 2. Johns Hopkins Global Center on Childhood Obesity, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Institute of Public Health and Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. 3. Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Institute of Hospital and Health Care Administration, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. 4. Johns Hopkins Global Center on Childhood Obesity, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Johns Hopkins Weight Management Center, Department of Health, Behavior & Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA. 5. Johns Hopkins Global Center on Childhood Obesity, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Johns Hopkins Weight Management Center, Department of Health, Behavior & Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Fisher Institute of Health and Well-Being, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, USA. Electronic address: youfawang@gmail.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) can help promote healthy eating and active living in patients. This study assessed the effects of weight-related advice from HCPs on change in body mass index (BMI) of patients in the USA. STUDY DESIGN: A 1-year follow-up study of 20,002 adults who participated in a nationally representative survey between 2004 and 2008. METHODS: Using the 2004-2008 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data, 1-year BMI and weight status changes were compared between patients who did and did not report receiving advice on exercise or on restricted intake of fat and cholesterol from their HCPs. RESULTS: Patients who received weight-related advice had a greater increase in BMI compared with those who did not receive weight-related advice. Stratified by the baseline weight status of patients (i.e. normal weight, overweight or obese), adverse direction of BMI change was only significantly associated with advice on exercise. Patients who received advice to exercise more were more likely to move to a higher weight status than remaining at the same weight status, compared with patients who did not receive advice to exercise more. CONCLUSION: This study did not find that weight-related advice from HCPs had a positive impact on BMI loss in patients. On the contrary, patients who reported receiving weight-related advice from HCPs had worse weight outcomes 1 year later than patients who did not report receiving weight-related advice. Further research is warranted to elucidate the role of weight-related advice from HCPs on lifestyle change and obesity prevention and control.
OBJECTIVES: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) can help promote healthy eating and active living in patients. This study assessed the effects of weight-related advice from HCPs on change in body mass index (BMI) of patients in the USA. STUDY DESIGN: A 1-year follow-up study of 20,002 adults who participated in a nationally representative survey between 2004 and 2008. METHODS: Using the 2004-2008 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data, 1-year BMI and weight status changes were compared between patients who did and did not report receiving advice on exercise or on restricted intake of fat and cholesterol from their HCPs. RESULTS:Patients who received weight-related advice had a greater increase in BMI compared with those who did not receive weight-related advice. Stratified by the baseline weight status of patients (i.e. normal weight, overweight or obese), adverse direction of BMI change was only significantly associated with advice on exercise. Patients who received advice to exercise more were more likely to move to a higher weight status than remaining at the same weight status, compared with patients who did not receive advice to exercise more. CONCLUSION: This study did not find that weight-related advice from HCPs had a positive impact on BMI loss in patients. On the contrary, patients who reported receiving weight-related advice from HCPs had worse weight outcomes 1 year later than patients who did not report receiving weight-related advice. Further research is warranted to elucidate the role of weight-related advice from HCPs on lifestyle change and obesity prevention and control.
Authors: Laurey R Simkin-Silverman; Katharine A Gleason; Wendy C King; Lisa A Weissfeld; Alhaji Buhari; Miriam A Boraz; Rena R Wing Journal: Prev Med Date: 2005-01 Impact factor: 4.018