Overweight Physicians Often Miss Overweight In Patients

Been fat so long, it looks like slim to them.

According to a study conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins, overweight doctors are significantly less likely to identify patients' weight problems in their diagnoses. Lifestyle factors considerably increase the risk of developing cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, as well as the majority of major diseases.

One would imagine that a person's weight is of significant importance and should be a consideration when treating patients. However, the study entitled "Impact of Physician BMI on Obesity Care and Beliefs," indicates that doctors' own weight problems may obscure how they view - and counsel - patients.

In order to determine whether medical professionals' weight status (as reflected in their body mass index [BMI]) affected interaction with obese patients, the researchers examined a cross-sectional survey of 500 primary care physicians.

They found that doctors who were overweight were 20% less likely to advise patients on weight management than doctors of normal weight. Furthermore, they found that only 7% of overweight doctors acknowledged that patients were overweight, compared with 93% of normal-weight doctors.

Do not see a fat doctor.

Put them out of business.