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Obesity, weight loss, and physician's advice

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  • Loureiro, Maria L.
  • Nayga, Rodolfo Jr

Abstract

Despite the increasing prevalence and economic costs of obesity in the USA, many physicians and other health care professionals do not advise their overweight and obese patients about weight loss. Using the 2001-2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data the purpose of our research is to investigate the relationship between individuals' receipt of physician's advice on weight loss and their tendency to eat fewer calories and fat or to use physical activity to lose weight. We find that physician's advice to lose weight has positive effects on both the probability of eating fewer calories and fat to lose weight and on the probability of using exercise to lose weight.

Suggested Citation

  • Loureiro, Maria L. & Nayga, Rodolfo Jr, 2006. "Obesity, weight loss, and physician's advice," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(10), pages 2458-2468, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:62:y:2006:i:10:p:2458-2468
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    Cited by:

    1. Berning, Joshua, 2015. "The role of physicians in promoting weight loss," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 17(C), pages 104-115.
    2. Tafreschi, Darjusch, 2015. "The income body weight gradients in the developing economy of China," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 16(C), pages 115-134.
    3. Bodea, Tudor D. & Garrow, Laurie A. & Meyer, Michael D. & Ross, Catherine L., 2009. "Socio-demographic and built environment influences on the odds of being overweight or obese: The Atlanta experience," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 43(4), pages 430-444, May.
    4. Clément, Matthieu, 2017. "The income-body-size gradient among Chinese urban adults: A semiparametric analysis," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 253-270.
    5. Ren, Yanjun & Castro Campos, Bente & Loy, Jens-Peter & Brosig, Stephan, 2019. "Low-income and overweight in China: Evidence from a life-course utility model," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 18(8), pages 1753-1767.
    6. Morris, Stephen & Gravelle, Hugh, 2008. "GP supply and obesity," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 27(5), pages 1357-1367, September.

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