title: Body mass index and self-reported compliance with general health care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The relation between elevated body mass index (BMI)/overweight-obesity and compliance with health care remains unclear; some studies have demonstrated a relation whereas others have not. To add to the confusion, a number of studies have examined specialized populations (eg, patients with diabetes mellitus) and/or only one parameter of compliance (eg, taking medication). In the present study, we examined primary care outpatients for relations between BMI and multiple parameters of healthcare adherence/compliance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a cross-sectional approach and a self-report survey methodology, we examined 250 primary care outpatients using three measures of healthcare compliance: conscientiousness in following through with medical treatment; a 5-item questionnaire examining compliance with general healthcare behaviors such as regular dental checkups and arrival to doctors' appointments on time; and the Medical Outcomes Study General Adherence Items, a general measure of compliance with physician directives.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With the exceptions of regular dental checkups, on-time arrival for doctors' appointments, and timely completion of laboratory work, the remaining variables demonstrated statistical significance at minimally the P & 0.05 level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with higher BMIs self-report less willingness to adhere to general healthcare requests/recommendations than patients with lower BMIs.
authors: From the Departments of Psychiatry and Internal Medicine, Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio, the Department of Internal Medicine at Kettering Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio, and Department of Psychology, Columbia College, Columbia, South Carolina.
authors: Randy A
authors: RA
authors: Sansone
authors: From the Departments of Psychiatry and Internal Medicine, Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio, the Department of Internal Medicine at Kettering Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio, and Department of Psychology, Columbia College, Columbia, South Carolina.
authors: R Jordan
authors: RJ
authors: Bohinc
authors: From the Departments of Psychiatry and Internal Medicine, Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio, the Department of Internal Medicine at Kettering Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio, and Department of Psychology, Columbia College, Columbia, South Carolina.
authors: Michael W
authors: MW
authors: Wiederman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010045:Outpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology