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Rogers ES, Sherman SE, Malaspina D, Jay M. Prevalence and Predictors of Obesity-Related Counseling Provided by Outpatient Psychiatrists in the United States. Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.). 2016 Oct 1; 67(10):1156-1159.
OBJECTIVE: This study sought to identify rates and predictors of obesity counseling performed by outpatient psychiatrists in the United States. METHODS: The 2005-2010 National Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys provided data from 7,309 outpatient psychiatry visits. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between patient, visit, and practice characteristics and outcomes. RESULTS: Most (81%) visits occurred in a private practice setting. Nine percent (N = 657) of visits included measurement of patient body mass index (BMI); 30% of these visits were with patients who met the obesity criterion (BMI = 30.0 kg/m2). Among visits with obese patients, 16% included exercise counseling, 22% included weight reduction counseling, and 24% included diet or nutrition counseling. Patients with obesity were more likely than patients without obesity to receive diet or nutrition counseling (p < .05) and weight reduction counseling (p < .05), but not exercise counseling. Black patients were significantly less likely to receive any form of counseling (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant need to improve psychiatrists' obesity counseling.