Survey: Doctors And Patients Not Discussing Weight As A Health Issue (NAPSA)—Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States, but 57 percent of overweight people have never hada discussion about weight with their doctors. A recent Roper Starch survey examined the level of communica- tion about weight between doctors and patients. An estimated 62 percent of overweight people do not believe that their weight poses a serious health risk, even though being overweight or obese is a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes and heart disease. “These data show that both patients and physicians need to take a moreactiverole in initiating a constructive dialogue about the health risks that extra weight carries,” said James Rippe, M.D., of overweight people, and more than one-third (37 percent) of people who qualify as obese, have not discussed weight with their doctors. “Through conversations with their physicians, people can learn about how to decrease their risk of serious weightrelated conditions.” Three-quarters of currently overweight people (75 percent) have tried in the past to lose weight without the help of a doctor. When asked to explain why people are not discussing weight with their doctors, it appears that overweight people are underesti- mating the seriousness of weight Associate Professor of Medicine problems; 49 percent feel they can lose weight on their own, 43 per- School of Medicine. “Through conversations with their physicians, is serious enough to speak with a doctor about, and 29 percent say (Cardiology) at Tufts University people can learn about how to decrease their risk of serious weight-related conditions.” Additional findings of the survey include: More than one-fifth (21 percent) of overweight people do not believe they need to lose weight, and one-quarter (25 percent) have nevertried to lose weight. More than half (57 percent) from a friend or family member(48 percent) as they are from a doctor (47 percent). In addition, 40 per- cent stated they get their weight loss information from magazines, and 25 percent cited television. Obesity in America During the 1990’s, the number of Americansclassified as overweight or obese increased dramatically in every state independent of sex, race, age and educational level. According to a report published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, more than 60 per- cent of adults in the U.S. are overweight or obese. Being overweight is closely associated with serious, chronic conditions that can lead to death and disability. These include high cent do not believe excess weight blood pressure, blood cholesterol abnormalities, adult onset diabetes, coronary heart disease, they are happy with their weight and don’t care to lose any. ritis of the knees and hips, sleep apnea andrespiratory problems, and certain types of cancer. Half (50 percent) of overweight people have not made any effort at all to seek information about diet and weight loss, and almost as many (45 percent) peo- ple who qualify as obese have not madesuchaneffort. Patients are just as likely to get diet or weight loss information stroke, gallbladder disease, arth- To learn more about the risks of being overweight and the bene- fits of getting back to a healthy weight, consumers can log onto www.weightloss.com. The Roper Starch survey was conducted on behalf of Roche, makers of the prescription weight loss medication, Xenical.
