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. 2020 Jul;52(7):713-718.
doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2020.03.002.

Investigating the Relationship Between Fatherhood and Provider Weight-Related Practices and Counseling in Clinical Settings

Alicia Boykin  1 , Jill Demirci  2 , Elizabeth Miller  3
Affiliations

Investigating the Relationship Between Fatherhood and Provider Weight-Related Practices and Counseling in Clinical Settings

Alicia Boykin et al. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2020 Jul.

Abstract

Objective: To assess whether weight-related practices and counseling between men and their medical providers are associated with the patient's fatherhood status.

Methods: Using the 2015-2017 National Survey of Family Growth, logistic regression models were constructed to examine the odds of men being weighed, told a weight status, or referred for nutrition/exercise counseling during a medical visit in the previous year.

Results: The sample included 2,562 men and 1,272 fathers. Overall, 90%, 76%, and 49% of fathers were weighed by a provider, told their weight status, and referred for nutrition/exercise counseling, respectively. There were no associations between fatherhood status and being weighed or provider weight status communication. Fathers were more likely to be referred for nutrition/exercise counseling compared with those without children during a medical (adjusted odds ratio, 1.61; 95% confidence interval, 1.003-2.583) or routine visit (adjusted odds ratio, 1.81; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-3.16).

Conclusions and implications: The increased likelihood of nutrition or exercise counseling referrals among fathers presents an opportunity to address obesity within families.

Keywords: childhood obesity; diet; exercise; fathers.

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