Documentation and management of overweight and obesity in primary care

Purpose: We examined overweight/obesity management in primary care in relation to body mass index (BMI), documentation of weight status, and comorbidities. Methods: This analysis of baseline data from the Cholesterol Education and Research Trial included 2330 overweight and obese adult primary care patients from southeastern New England. Data were ob-tained via a telephone interview and abstraction of patients ’ medical records. BMI (kg/m2) was calcu-lated from measured height and weight. Management of overweight/obesity included advice to lose weight, physical activity recommendations, dietary recommendations, and referral for nutrition counsel-ing. Results: Documentation of weight status was more common with increasing BMI (13 % of overweight patients, 39 % of mildly obese patients, and 77 % of moderately/severely obese patients). Documentation of overweight/obesity was associated with increased behavioral treatment; the biggest increase was seen for advice to lose weight (odds ratios were 7.2 for overweight patients, 3.3 for patients with mild obe-sity, and 4.0 for patients with moderate/severe obesity). Although weight-related comorbidities were associated with increased overweight/obesity management at all BMIs, the biggest increase in odds was for patients with moderate/severe obesity