There have been many studies dealing with attitudes of physicians and other health care professionals about persons with obesity. Since persons with obesity have many health problems, these studies have serious implications regarding the access and quality of health care available to persons with obesity.
In 1969, one study of physicians and student clerks at a medical center found that they viewed persons with obesity as unintelligent, unsuccessful, inactive, and weak-willed. Physicians indicated they preferred not to treat overweight patents and did not expect success when they were responsible for their management.
In a more recent survey, one-third of physicians listed obesity as one of five diagnostic categories and social characteristics of a patient to which they responded negatively, behind drug addiction, alcoholism and mental illness. A similar study found two-thirds of physicians reported that obese patients lacked self-control and 39 percent reported they were lazy. Two studies of nurses showed similar results.
When persons with obesity were surveyed about their experiences with physicians, most were generally satisfied with their care for general health. However, they were significantly less satisfied with the care they received for their obesity.
Results from a study of over 1,200 physicians indicated poor obesity management practices. Physicians did not intervene as much as they should and were unlikely to refer a patient to a weight loss program. Only 18 percent of physicians reported that they would discuss weight management with overweight patients; 42 percent addressed the issue with mildly obese patients.
Higher Body Mass Index (BMI) has been associated with decreased preventive health care services for women. National survey results of self-reported information, show that obese women were significantly more likely than non-obese women to delay breast examinations, gynecologic examinations, and pap smears. Those results were despite an increase in physicians' visits as BMI increased. Researchers of the study concluded that even when obese women have more frequent physician appointments, they seem least likely to use preventive services.
