Body Mass Index and Self-Reported Compliance with General Health Care. Issue 2 (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sansone, Randy A.; Bohinc, R. Jordan; Wiederman, Michael W.
• Is Part Of: Southern medical journal. Volume 108:Issue 2(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: healthcare adherence -- healthcare compliance -- obesity -- overweight; Medicine -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.14423/SMJ.0000000000000231
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-4348

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: The relation between elevated body mass index (BMI)/overweight-obesity and compliance with health care remains unclear; some studies have demonstrated a relation whereas others have not. To add to the confusion, a number of studies have examined specialized populations (eg, patients with diabetes mellitus) and/or only one parameter of compliance (eg, taking medication). In the present study, we examined primary care outpatients for relations between BMI and multiple parameters of healthcare adherence/compliance. Methods: Using a cross-sectional approach and a self-report survey methodology, we examined 250 primary care outpatients using three measures of healthcare compliance: conscientiousness in following through with medical treatment; a 5-item questionnaire examining compliance with general healthcare behaviors such as regular dental checkups and arrival to doctors' appointments on time; and the Medical Outcomes Study General Adherence Items, a general measure of compliance with physician directives. Results: With the exceptions of regular dental checkups, on-time arrival for doctors' appointments, and timely completion of laboratory work, the remaining variables demonstrated statistical significance at minimally the P & 0.05 level. Conclusions: Patients with higher BMIs self-report less willingness to adhere to general healthcare requests/recommendations than patients with lower BMIs. Abstract : In this cross-sectional self-report survey study, researchers examined 250 internal medicine outpatients with regard to body mass index (BMI) and compliance with general health care using three measures consisting of seven individual study variables. With the exceptions of regular dental checkups, on-time arrival for doctors' appointments, and timely completion of laboratory work, the remaining variables demonstrated statistical significance at minimally the P & 0.05 level, indicating that patients with higher BMIs self-report less willingness to adhere to general health care than patients with lower BMIs.