title: The role of physicians in promoting weight loss.
abstract: There are numerous costs resulting from being overweight or obese. A relevant question is how to effectively reduce rates of obesity. I examine the effect of advice from a physician or heath care provider to lose weight on individual weight outcomes using survey data. I account for selection bias using a control function approach and rely on data restrictions to control for simultaneity. I find robust results indicating that advice has a significant effect on weight loss. Several studies suggest physicians may not adequately advise their patients about weight loss. The results of this paper highlight an important opportunity for physicians to advise at-risk patients.
authors: University of Georgia, Agricultural and Applied Economics, Conner Hall, Athens, GA 30602, United States. Electronic address: jberning@uga.edu.
authors: Joshua
authors: J
authors: Berning
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015897:Comorbidity; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy; D050177:Overweight / Q000628:therapy*; D010819:Physician's Role; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Physician advice; Weight management; Weight outcomes