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Ah, the annual physical. For some people, a check-up with a primary care doctor doesn’t feel like a big deal.
But for millions of Americans, including most of the 42% of adults who fall under the “obese” umbrella due to inaccurate body mass index (BMI) standards, doctor visits can be fraught with unpleasant moments. there is.
We are not throwing stones at doctors. We know that many doctors treat their patients in a body-neutral way, with compassion and targeted advice. But that’s not the norm, according to a study published in the journal on December 13, 2022. family practiceIn it, the researchers said: Most often, doctors give their patients weight loss advice that is more abstract than practical, vague, unhelpful, and not always backed by science.
Earlier, how the researchers arrived at this conclusion, and what the scientist said medical professionals (and those consulted by them) should keep in mind. Let’s learn about
RELATED: Why complimenting someone’s weight loss is actually rude, according to a nutritionist
What this weight loss study found
A team of experts from the University of Oxford, England, examined 159 audio recordings of consultations between general practitioners and patients with BMIs within the range considered “obese”. One person generally gave superficial advice, such as “Please change your lifestyle a little.” Only 20% of appointments included a doctor who provided advice on: how To actually achieve the weight loss they were recommending. (P.S.: Here are his three key habits for actually maintaining weight loss, which are also an important part of the conversation.)
Common suggestions included the following abstract tips: It’s actually not backed up by current science (and in some cases, plain wrong).:
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Eat less, move more
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just go up the stairs
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be careful what you eat
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cut down on carbs
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You can use the app to track your calories and monitor how many calories you take in and how many you burn
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do as much exercise as your joints will allow
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Make your own gluten-free flour as it has no added sugar (this is completely false; gluten is protein after all).
“Our analysis found that clinicians rarely provided effective advice, so even if patients followed the advice, they were unlikely to lose weight,” the researchers said. wrote in the journal. angular was a fallback recommendation in case no other resource was available.
RELATED: Study finds physical activity, not weight loss, is key to reducing health risks
I can definitely understand why it’s hard to offer more customized and nuanced advice. Our current healthcare system focuses less on prevention and more on treatment and illness, so little time is spent on nutrition and physical activity in the medical school curriculum. This is another big reason why it’s important to consult professionals who specialize in these areas, such as registered dietitians and physical therapists. In addition, doctors often have too little time to really understand a patient’s habits and other external factors that can affect their overall well-being. (For example, access to a safe place to exercise or he needs to work three jobs to pay the bills). Prevention.
“Physicians need clear guidelines on how to opportunistically talk to obese patients about weight loss,” said lead author of the study and a qualitative researcher at New York University’s Nuffield Division of Primary Care Health Sciences. said Dr. Madeleine Trembret. Oxford, England, said in a press release. “This helps them avoid amplifying stigmatizing stereotypes and provides effective help to patients who want to lose weight.”
Conclusion
A small study that analyzed conversations between doctors and patients found that much of the standard weight loss advice is too vague to be helpful, and in some cases downright inaccurate. Having many doctors and other health care professionals who are just a part of the clinic at one point in time, connecting on a personal level and providing referrals to specialists in nutrition, exercise and community It is important to note that defend.
More research is needed, and a larger debate about medical school curricula (and healthcare industry-wide strategies) is needed, but this research shows what can really be supportive and fruitful for those trying to lose. It spotlights the need for more discussion about what is going to happen. weight.
Obesity is multifactorial, and simply adhering to a restricted diet won’t help, researchers say, so an individualized approach is best. Instead, we suggest treatment strategies that include:
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Nutrition consultation by registered dietitian
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Behavior modification focused on areas such as stress management and sleep
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Lifestyle modifications including customized physical activity advice
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Help to overcome systemic barriers such as food insecurity
