title: Military family physician attitudes toward treating obesity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal was to examine current knowledge, attitudes, and treatment practices of family practitioners regarding obesity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional, anonymous, self-report survey of active members of the Uniformed Services Chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians was performed. Measures included demographic information, attitudes toward obese patients, knowledge of associated health risks, and treatment recommendations, rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Results were compared with previous similar studies, and associations between demographic variables, physician body mass index, and attitudes and behaviors were examined by using multivariate regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 1,186 members invited to participate, 477 (40.2%) responded. Compared with previous studies, there was increased awareness of obesity-associated health risks and physicians' sense of obligation to counsel patients. There were minimal changes in physician comfort and gratification with obesity counseling. Stereotypical attitudes of physicians toward obese patients were increased. Treatment recommendations were increased in all fields, including exercise, diet/nutrition counseling, and behavioral modification, but the most notable increases were seen in the use of prescription medications, diet center programs, and surgical referrals. Age, physician gender, physician weight status, practice location, and current training status were each associated with some aspect of physician attitudes and treatment practices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physicians are better able to identify obesity and its associated health risks, but some negative stereotypical attitudes persist. These attitudes affect current treatment practices. Increased awareness, training, and study are required to combat the continuing increase in obesity rates.
authors.affiliation: Third Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, GA 31314, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Warner
authors.forename: Carolynn M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Warner
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morganstein
authors.forename: George N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Appenzeller
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rachal
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Grieger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008887:Military Medicine; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States