Physicians' use of the 5As in counseling obese patients: is the quality of counseling associated with patients' motivation and intention to lose weight?

Table 1 Patient, Visit, and Physician Characteristics

	N = 137 obese patients 23 residents
*Sociodemographic Characteristics of Patients*
% Female (n)	70.1 (96)
Mean Age (SD)	44.9 (13.6)
Race/Ethnicity
% Latina (n)	77.4(106)
% Black (n)	14.6 (20)
% Low Health Literacy (n)	54.0(74)
% Spanish Speaking (n)	70.1(96)
*Health Characteristics of Patients*
Mean BMI (SD)	34.2 (4.2)
Mean Self-Report Health Status¹ (SD)	3.5 (1.1)
*Stage of Change*
% Actively Trying to Lose Weight² (n)	36.5 (50)
*Self-Efficacy*
% Confident Can Eat Well³ (n)	56.9 (78)
% Confident Can Exercise Regularly⁴ (n)	80.3 (110)
*Visit Type*
% New Visit (n)	51.8 (71)
% Seen this physician once (n)	10.2 (14)
% Seen this physician 2-3 times (n)	23.3 (32)
% Seen this physician > 3 times (n)	14.6 (20)
*Physician Characteristics*
Physician Advised to Lose Weight in Past (%)	29.2(40)
Patient Centeredness⁵	3.8 (0.3)

¹ Overall, how would you rate your health during the past four weeks- 6 point scale: Very poor, poor, fair, good, very good, excellent?
² In the past month, I have been actively trying to lose weight and/or trying not to gain weight.
³ Somewhat or very confident that respondent could choose healthy food, could control the amount of food he/she eats
⁴ Somewhat or very confident that could exercise regularly
⁵ Average of six patient centeredness of care items: given every chance to ask questions; physician took a genuine interest in you; gave you information you wanted; checked to make sure you understood everything; gave you opportunity to ask questions; discussed next steps - 4 point scale specific to each item

ISSN: 1472-6963