FPs Hold Tools To Combat Obesity Epidemic

Family physicians have the ability to tip the scales in their favor when it comes to managing America's obesity epidemic.

Research clearly shows that the number of children, adolescents and adults considered overweight continues to rise in the United States. Although this trend is troubling, it provides the opportunity for family physicians to become experts in an area many subspecialists won't touch.

"I don't think family physicians have the luxury of leaving this part of health (care) to someone else," said FP Michelle May, M.D., of Phoenix, founder of the Am I Hungry? weight management program. "It is time for family doctors to step up the plate and become the 'go-to' experts. This is a way for us to differentiate ourselves from the other (specialists), who are not taking this on and who don't have the counseling skills and relationships (with patients) we do.

"Family physicians are in a great position to impact the (obesity) epidemic because they have long-term relationships with parents and children. This is not a situation where they will deliver the information and that is the last the patient will hear of it."

In addition, because they treat the entire family, family physicians can understand their patients' psychosocial dynamics, family history and socioeconomic status, May added.

In an effort to help FPs educate their communities, and particularly children, about obesity, the Academy's fitness initiative, Americans In Motion, or AIM, has partnered with Scholastic Inc. to launch the Ready, Set, FIT! program, which encourages FPs to help teachers present a program for third- and fourth-graders that is designed to create an awareness of and start a dialogue on fitness and nutrition issues.

"When people see family physicians outside of a medical setting, it just reinforces the role our expertise plays in the community," May said. "This is not only an obligation, but an opportunity to provide an additional spark."

Physicians may register online to be part of the Ready, Set, FIT! program. AIM staff members will contact those who volunteer to make classroom presentations and will help match the volunteers with nearby schools. In December, the program will become available online for teachers and presenters throughout the country to download and use.

Also in December, Scholastic will distribute a limited quantity of classroom kits to teachers in selected areas with high rates of childhood obesity: Alabama, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey and South Carolina.

One of the keys to combating obesity, May said, is preserving a child's natural inclination to view fitness activities as fun.

"Kids love to play, compete and challenge themselves. Activity is a part of normal child behavior. We need to tap into these natural tendencies. Being dogmatic about food and burning calories sends the wrong message. Kids enjoy fruit and vegetables and don't think of them as diet food. If we keep a positive attitude, with more positive foods, it really helps."

Granted, Americans may have a long way to go in the weight war, said May, but family physicians are uniquely suited to help them take on the fight.

"In general, family physicians are already excellent with this skill set," May said. "We're good at getting patients to take their medication and manage chronic diseases. Let's use those skills to motivate them to take charge of their physical activity and nutrition behaviors, as well."

When May began to tackle the topic, she said, both her practice and her outlook on medicine were re-energized.

"As I began to address this in a more effective and efficient way in my own practice, it increased my enjoyment and success with my patients," May said. "I didn't dread the questions any more. Now I look forward to them because it is an opportunity for me to help the patient make a change."