Are Obese Patients Assisted in Losing Weight?

Abstract

Objectives: To quantify obesity inertia (OI) in primary healthcare in the Valencian Community (Spain) and determine the related factors. Study Design: Cross-sectional analysis. Methods: In 2003, the whole population 40 years and older was invited to undergo a check-up. We included all obese persons (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m2) of the first 6 months after the invitation (n = 8687). OI was defined as the lack of advice by the healthcare professionals to lose weight. Other data recorded: gender, history of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) or cardiovascular disease (CVD), groups of BMI (Class I obesity [BMI <35 kg/m2] and the rest), age, blood pressure, and lipids. The patients without CVD and who were younger than 75 years (n = 7700) were classified according to the REGICOR cardiovascular risk as either high or low. The OI was quantified and related factors assessed, calculating the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) from multivariate models. Results: In the overall sample, OI was 16.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 15.8-17.4). Associated factors: male (OR = 1.19; 95% CI, 1.06-1.35); no history of hypertension (OR = 0.85; 95% CI, 0.74-0.97), or dyslipidaemia (OR = 0.86; 95% CI, 0.73-1.01), or diabetes (OR = 0.80; 95% CI, 0.64-1.00), or CVD (OR = 0.79; 95% CI, 0.62-1.01); and Class I obesity (OR = 0.83; 95% CI, 0.72-0.96). In the REGICOR sample, the OI was 16.9% (95% CI, 16.0-17.7). Associated factors: high REGICOR (OR = 2.27; 95% CI, 1.30-3.98) and Class I obesity (OR = 0.82; 95% CI, 0.71-0.95). Conclusions: OI exists in 1 of every 6 patients. OI occurs less frequently in patients with a history of CVRF, and more frequently in Class I obesity and in those with a high cardiovascular risk.