Increasing awareness of obesity as a treatable medical condition.
OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Kuppersmith
Nancy C
NC
Department of Family and Geriatric Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA. nckupp01@gwise.louisville.edu
Smoot
Tonya M
TM
Williams
Erica D
ED
Cliburn
Elizabeth A
EA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000592:standards*; D003376:Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007629:Kentucky / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D012307:Risk Factors