Can Obese Physicians Help People Live a Healthier Life?

Patients treated by obese physicians don't always properly follow their doctor's advice concerning losing weight. Obesity advice given by overweight physicians does not carry the same effect with patients as similar advice given by fit physicians, according to Jo Marie Reilly of White Memorial Hospital in California.

Patients go to physicians for professional advice, however they also look to physicians as role models. From this standpoint, it is difficult for overweight physicians to give credible medical advice regarding weight loss if they don't seem to take care of their own weight problems and health.

Obese physicians are less likely to diagnose obesity and provide obesity counseling for their patients according to a study of physicians' health habits and counseling practices. These doctors do not necessarily classify themselves as obese, said Brian W McCrindle in "Do as I say, not as I do. The new epidemic of childhood obesity".

Physicians who are not overweight can deal with their patients more aggressively and avoid coexistences with other diseases or conditions. An obese physician may sometimes be in denial regarding his own obesity, and so she may overlook obesity in her own patients.

If the hospital staff do not live themselves healthier lifestyles patients get the message that being overweight is a healthy lifestyle, according to Reilly. That is because sometimes patients may see the medical personnel as role models. Hospital staff should be encouraged to live healthier lifestyles, and should also include healthy foods in their vending machines or lunch rooms, said Reilly.

Physicians who are not self-aware of their obesity and do not challenge themselves to make healthy lifestyle changes are losing the battle against obesity, said Reilly.

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