obese woman exercising (Photo : Reuters )
A recent study discovered that the success rates of overweight and obese people trying to lose weight and burn fat is twice as high when they feel that they received high-level help from their doctors. That is compared to those who believed that were on their own in the weight-loss program.
Findings were published in the journal Patient Education and Counseling.
The study included 347 obese people who participated in a two-year program that a United States government weight loss program funded. After it ended the participated filled out surveys that assessed their relationships with their own physicians.
For instance, the questionnaire asked how frequently the volunteers' health care providers listened carefully, explained clearly, and showed respect. It also asked how helpful their physicians were during the trial.
Among the 347 patients, the average age was 54.8 years old, and 63 percent were female. The mean Body Mass index (BMI) was 36.3, classifying them as obese.
Each of the subjects suffered from one of three risk factors for cardiovascular disease. They included high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
Wendy L. Bennett, MD, MPH is an Assistant Professor at John Hopkins University school of Medicine. She said that a high-quality doctor-patient relationship contains certain features. They include teamwork, respect, trust, and empathy.
Strong relationships between health care providers and patients are linked to several issues. Some are improved appointment-keeping and medication-taking.
When the survey concluded, nearly all of the subjects reported excellent relationships with their physicians. However, general relationships had a low effect on weight loss.
Patients who gave their physicians the highest ratings for "helpfulness" lost an average 11 pounds (5 kilograms), according to Science Times. However, those who gave their doctors the lowest scores only lost about 5 pounds (2.3 kilograms).
In addition, patients who had in-person meetings with their physicians lost a little more weight and fat than those who received remote support. They dropped 1.2 more pounds (.5 kilograms) and 6 percent more body fat, according to The Market Business.
The trial supports other studies' findings that link physician support with weight loss. Its is key to the effort.
