Table 2 Factor analysis of attitudes and physician agreement with attitude items (n = 250)
| Â | Â | Â | Loadings | Distribution of Responses | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Factor Name | % Var | Attitude Item | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | % Agree | % Disagree |
Factor 1 Physician Discomfort/Bias | 25% | I feel uncomfortable when examining an obese patient | .80 | -.25 | -.02 | -.01 | 18 | 82 |
| Â | Â | It is difficult for me to feel empathy for an obese patient | .77 | -.16 | .06 | .10 | 8 | 92 |
| Â | Â | I have negative reactions towards the appearance of obese patients | .76 | -.06 | -.01 | .12 | 45 | 55 |
Factor 2 Physician Success/Self Efficacy | 16% | I feel qualified to treat obese patients | -.11 | .84 | .09 | .21 | 55 | 45 |
| Â | Â | I have been successful in treating patients for obesity | -.14 | .72 | .05 | -.17 | 46 | 54 |
| Â | Â | The best role for a physician in weight management is to provide treatment rather than referral | -.18 | .56 | -.06 | -.22 | 88 | 12 |
Factor 3 Positive Outcome | 11% | Most obese patients could reach a normal weight (for height) if motivated | .06 | .02 | .77 | -.08 | 38 | 61 |
Expectancy | Â | Obesity is primarily caused by behavioral factors | -.04 | -.19 | .72 | .30 | 33 | 67 |
| Â | Â | Obesity is a treatable condition | .01 | .22 | .70 | -.20 | 92 | 8 |
Factor 4 Negative Outcome | 11% | Most obese patients will not lose a significant amount of weight | -.04 | -.23 | -.18 | .79 | 49 | 51 |
Expectancy | Â | Treating obese patients is very frustrating | .38 | .09 | .12 | .70 | 66 | 34 |