Promotion of physical activity, walking, and healthy eating by Hawaii physicians

As obesity rates continue to rise in the US, the prevalence of co-morbid conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol are also increasing. Individuals are diagnosed with these conditions by their physicians, but it is unclear if physicians are subsequently promoting physical activity and healthy eating. This study used data from the 2007 Healthy Hawaii Initiative Cross-Sectional telephone survey. The 3607 participants averaged 2.77±1.32 persons per household, 50% were overweight/obese, average age was 53.16±.09, and over 50% had some college. Of the 949 participants who reported their ethnicity, 29.4% were Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, 27.3% were Caucasian, 25% were Asian, and 8.3% were other. Six percent had diabetes, 16% had hypertension, and 16% had high cholesterol. Physicians were significantly more likely to recommend physical activity to participants with diabetes (Χ²=63.53,p<0.001), participants with hypertension (Χ²=105.90,p<0.001), and participants with high cholesterol (Χ²=68.77,p<0.001) than those without. Physicians were significantly more likely to recommend walking to participants with diabetes (Χ²=52.84,p<0.001), participants with hypertension (Χ²=86.23,p<0.001), and participants with high cholesterol (Χ²=58.69,p<0.001) than those without. Physicians were significantly more likely to recommend healthy eating to participants with diabetes (Χ²=66.55,p<0.001), participants with hypertension (Χ²=75.26,p<0.001), and participants with high cholesterol (Χ²=56.99,p<0.001) than those without. Hawaii physicians are promoting physical activity, walking, and healthy eating to people who have been diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol at higher rates than people who do not have these conditions. However, it is important to determine the exact recommendations made by physicians in order to further improve health.