Having a regular physician and attempted weight loss after screening for hypertension or hypercholesterolemia.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between having a regular physician, results of screening tests for cardiovascular risk (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia) and efforts to lose weight among obese adults.


METHODS
Analysis of a population-based telephone survey (2002 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System).


METHODS
Four states (Iowa, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia) in the US.


METHODS
Adults (> or =18 y old) who were obese (body mass index > or =30 kg/m(2)) (unweighted n=1735).


METHODS
Currently attempting to lose weight; changes in diet or exercise as strategies to lose weight.


RESULTS
Obese individuals with a personal physician were more likely to report attempts to lose weight in the face of screening normal for hypertension or hypercholesterolemia than those without a personal physician (75.6 vs 60.5% for hypercholesterolemia, P=0.03; 74.6 vs 57.7% for hypertension, P=0.01). In adjusted models, obese individuals screening normal for hypertension but having a personal physician were significantly more likely to attempt to lose weight than individuals without a personal physician (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.12-2.60).


CONCLUSIONS
Having a regular physician is associated with a higher likelihood of attempted weight loss among obese individuals who believe that they do not have hypertension or hypercholesterolemia, than their counterparts with no regular physician. This suggests a previously unrecognized benefit of having a personal physician.
Mainous
A G
AG
Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. Mainouag@musc.edu
Diaz
V A
VA
Koopman
R J
RJ
Everett
C J
CJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D015431:Weight Loss