Increasing awareness of obesity as a treatable medical condition

To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in a population comprised of patients seen at two local primary care clinics and to evaluate the management of this epidemic in a primary care setting.

Patient medical charts from two urban community clinics in Louisville, Kentucky, were reviewed to determine how the diagnosis of overweight and obesity was assessed and treated.

The estimated prevalence of obesity in this population was 40.2% as compared to the national statistics of 30.5%. Despite the higher percentage of obesity, less advice regarding weight loss was given to the patient group under study (30.5%) compared to national survey estimates (42% advised to lose weight and 34% counseled on physical activity).

Data presented here suggest that patients within this Kentucky urban primary care community have not received adequate obesity advice from their physician. Obesity is a growing concern and must be addressed by increasing awareness.