Doctors’ weight loss counselling ‘is ineffective’

The counselling that doctors give their patients about weight loss is largely ineffective, a study has shown.

Researchers from Duke University Medical Center recorded conversations between 40 primary care physicians and 461 of their overweight or obese patients over the course of 18 months.

They tracked how much time was spent and the way in which the doctors talked about diet, exercise and weight loss.

The results of the study show that the patients who were spoken to in a motivational manner were more likely to lose weight than those who were approached with a more confrontational style.

“Results of the study indicate that physicians may indeed have the power to help patients change their eating and exercise habits,” said lead author of the study Dr Kathryn Pollak, a member of the Cancer Prevention Program at the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Last month, research conducted by the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center found the advice that doctors give to their patients about dieting and exercise can be affected by the physician’s own personal lifestyle habits.

Has your doctor offered you any helpful advice on losing weight and keeping it off?