Introduction: First-line intervention for the metabolic disorders or type 2 Diabetes is lifestyle change, including weight management, diet, and increased physical activity. This study evaluated the associations between health professional (HP) weight discussions and weight management practices among high risk safety-net patients.
Methods: Cross-sectional data on adults (aged≥18 years) with self-reported diabetes, hypertension or hyperlipidemia from the 2014 National Health Center Patient Survey (HCPS) was analyzed. The HCPS is a nationally representative survey of patients receiving care at safety-net health centers. Outcome (binary) was whether patients tried to lose weight in prior 12 months. Independent variables were HP discussing the weight problem, talking about weight loss options (i.e., exercise), suggesting a nutritionist visit, or offering weight loss medication. Logistic regression models with complex sampling design was used to test the association between HP weight discussions and the outcome, adjusted for psycho-sociodemographic covariates.
Results: Of 3671 patients, 55.5% (n=2039) tried to lose weight in prior 12 months. Women (62.4%) and Hispanic race/ethnicity (62.8%) were associated with a higher prevalence of attempting to lose weight in prior 12 months. In the fully adjusted model, having received HP’s weight discussion (AOR=5.54, 95%CI: 3.59-8.56), suggest exercise (AOR=3.61, 95% CI: 2.37-5.49), and recommend a nutritionist visit (AOR=2.59, 95% CI: 1.67-4.01) were associated for increased likelihood of attempting weight loss.
Conclusions: HP advice to lose weight may increase patients’ motivation to lose weight and weight loss behavior. Better training for HPs in delivering high-value care such as brief weight counselling could lead to improved chronic disease health outcomes for safety-net patient populations.
J. J. Wang: None. Z. Shi: None. A. Yan: None.