Effects of being overweight

A.L. Stewart and R.H. Brook

American Journal of Public Health, 1983, vol. 73, issue 2, 171-178

Abstract: Based on cross sectional data from a general population of 5,817 people aged 14 to 61, objective overweight is compared with perceived overweight, and information is provided on morbidity due to being overweight, and on what people are going to try to lose weight. We found that 10 per cent of this population are moderately overweight and 12 per cent are severely overweight (although 41 per cent perceive they are overweight). Being overweight is associated with poorer functional status (e.g., overweight if given as the main reason for functional limitations by 13 per cent of people with such limitations) and with considerable pain, worry, and restricted activity because of this condition (e.g., 88 per cent of people who believe they are overweight worry at least a little about it). Only about 7 per cent of those who perceive they are overweight are under a doctor's care to lose weight. If physicians wish to assume a larger role in caring for overweight people, the nature of their role must be carefully evaluated.

Date: 1983
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1983:73:2:171-178_4

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