title: Disparities in Who Receives Weight-Loss Advice From a Health Care Provider: Does Income Make a Difference?
abstract: The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all patients be screened for obesity and, if needed, be provided weight-loss advice. However, the prevalence of such advice is low and varies by patient demographics. This study aimed to describe the determinants of receiving weight-loss advice among a sample with a high proportion of low-income, racial/ethnic minority individuals.
  
  
  
  Data were collected from a telephone survey of 1,708 households in 2009 and 2010 in 5 cities in New Jersey. Analyses were limited to 1,109 overweight or obese adults. Multivariate logistic regression determined the association of participants' characteristics with receiving weight-loss advice from their health care provider. Two models were used to determine differences by income and insurance status.
  
  
  
  Of all overweight or obese respondents, 35% reported receiving advice to lose weight. Receiving advice was significantly associated with income in multivariate analysis. Compared with those with an income at or below 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL), those within 200% to 399% of the FPL had 1.60 higher odds of receiving advice (P = .02), and those with an income of 400% or more of the FPL had 1.73 higher odds of receiving advice (P = .03). The strength of the association did not change after adjusting for health insurance.
  
  
  
  Income is a significant predictor of whether or not overweight or obese adults receive weight-loss advice after adjustment for demographic variables, health status, and insurance status. Further work is needed to examine why disparities exist in who receives weight-loss advice. Health care providers should provide weight-loss advice to all patients, regardless of income.
authors.affiliation: School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona.
authors.forename: Cori
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lorts
authors.affiliation: School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Arizona State University, 550 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004. Email: Punam.Ohri-Vachaspati@asu.edu.
authors.forename: Punam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ohri-Vachaspati
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006304:Health Status; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007348:Insurance, Health; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009515:New Jersey; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs / Q000191:economics*; D055815:Young Adult