Background: Although the physicians’ interest in weight control has increased, their counseling on weight control is still low. This study aims to identify the patient’s stage of weight control and how physicians advise and educate overweight adults concerning their weight control.
Methods: Data were collected from 251 examinees since July 7, 2008 to October 31, 2008 through self administered questionnaires given to patients who had visited the health promotion center of a university hospital in Gyeong-ju. Those with body mass index (BMI) over 23 kg/m2 were enrolled. The questionnaire included socio -demographic characteristics, items related to obesity, physician's advice and education on weight control. The state of current weight control was investigated by trans-theoretical model (TTM)
Results: Eighty one (32.3%) patients were in the preparation stage. Results showed 106 (42.2%) participants in the action stage. Although 147 (58.6%) participants received physician's advice on weight control only 34 (13.5%) actually received physician’s education. The factors leading to the contemplation stage involved the self perception of being obese (OR 3.61, 95% CI 1.42~ 9.21) and physician's advice for weight control (2.55, 1.02~6.40). Similarly, the factor leading to action stage
from precontemplation stage and contemplation stage was the previous history of weight control (2.92, 1.24~6.86 and 2.20, 1.15~4.20, respectively).
Conclusion: Overweight adults mainly were in preparation stage for weight control. Primary physicians should actively advise weight control to these people.

Keywords: Obesity, Weight, Counseling

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