Family physicians have the ability to tip the scales in their favor when it comes to managing America's obesity epidemic.
FPs Hold Tools To Combat Obesity Epidemic
By Joel Francis
11/22/2006
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.
"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.
Taking AIM at Communities
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.
"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.
More Resources
- The AIM To Change toolkit is available to Academy members for only the cost of shipping ($3.95 per kit) and contains many tools and resources to let physicians open a dialogue and create teachable moments with patients.
- The Tips for Healthy Children and Families poster pack is now available in both English and Spanish. These free posters can be hung in the waiting room to promote a fitness-friendly environment.
- The "AIM to Change: Encouraging Fitness for All" webcast, presented by FP Michelle May, M.D., covers making system and culture changes to promote fitness; treating patient encounters as platforms to open a fitness dialogue; and
- optimizing reimbursement for management of overweight- and obesity-related conditions.
- AIM's podcast, "Overcoming Barriers to Better Fitness" is a 50-minute audio program that offers strategies for addressing patient and practice obstacles related to obesity issues.
- CME Bulletin: Be Active, Eat Smart, Feel Good -- A Family-Centered Approach to Healthy Lifestyles (PDF file: 10 pages / 259 KB. More about PDFs.) allows AAFP members to earn up to 0.75 Prescribed CME credit for completing this educational activity.
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.
Keeping Fitness Fun
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."
"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."
