Patient Attitudes toward Weight Related Discussions in Rural Appalachian Primary Care Clinics

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Clinical Medicine
• Health Services Research

Background:

• West Virginia (WV) faces high obesity rates, yet physician discussions about weight are infrequent.
• Understanding the dynamics of these conversations in primary care is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the frequency and nature of weight-related discussions in WV primary care.
• To examine if these discussions vary based on patient weight status.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was administered to patients in rural WV primary care settings.
• Data collected included demographics, obesity-related comorbidities, and patient perceptions of physician weight discussions.

Main Results:

• Over half of surveyed patients (56.9%) discussed weight with their physician.
• Patients with obesity were more likely to discuss weight (71.8%) compared to overweight patients (44.0%).
• A significant majority believed physicians should discuss risks (89.5%) and that weight impacts health (86.1%).

Conclusions:

• Physician weight discussions are more common with patients diagnosed with obesity than those who are overweight.
• Primary care providers should consider increasing attention to weight-related issues in overweight patients.