To overcome that and start building trust in the doctor\u2019s office, Flanagan said she first asks people for permission to talk about their weight, eating habits and obesity-related health issues.\n<\/p>\n
Even though some providers may bristle at this idea, she said it pays off.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether or not we should or shouldn\u2019t be asking permission, you get better buy-in from your patient if you do,\u201d she said.\n<\/p>\n
During a well visit, Flanagan may tell a patient that their weight could be contributing to specific health issues and concerns they\u2019re having. She then asks them if they could have a conversation about it then, or if they\u2019d be more comfortable scheduling a follow-up appointment to talk more in depth about it.\n <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I would say I\u2019ve almost never had a negative response to that,\u201d she said. \u201cThe vast majority of patients say, \u2018Yeah, I would love to talk about it, but I didn\u2019t know how to bring it up.\u2019\u201d\n<\/p>\n
It can be important to create that kind of opportunity, especially during someone\u2019s primary care visit, Flanagan said. But she also knows it can be hard to do when doctors have to cram in all sorts of exams and discussions about other health issues in such a limited amount of time.\n<\/p>\n
Concerns about obesity risk don\u2019t always make the cut, she said.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThere can be some hesitation, because it is not a short conversation. Do you want to open that can of worms when you have three patients waiting for you? Do I really want to start talking about this now when I have 15 other things I need to do for this patient anyways?\u201d Flanagan asked. \u201cIt\u2019s usually not life or death that you have to address someone\u2019s weight that second, but it\u2019s something that if we just keep kicking the can down the road, eventually it does become that way, not necessarily from the weight itself, but from all of the consequences that come from that.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
In the pediatric setting, McDonald said she incorporates discussions about weight early on, especially while she\u2019s educating new parents and growing families about the importance of healthy eating, nutrition and physical activity in childhood.\n<\/p>\n