The Scale Has Barely Moved for Healthy Eating Advice from Doctors

AHRQ News and Numbers, April 29, 2010

Only about half of obese adult Americans were advised by their doctors to cut down on fatty foods in 2006, and the rate had not significantly changed since 2002, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

The agency's survey also found that:

• Obese Black and Hispanic adults were less likely than Whites to receive advice on food consumption (45 percent and 42 percent, respectively, compared with 52 percent).
• Poor obese adults were less likely to be advised to cut down on high-fat, high-cholesterol foods, regardless of race or ethnicity (43 percent compared with 57 percent of higher-income counterparts).
• Obese adults who did not finish high school also were less likely than those with college education to be advised to cut down on fat (46 percent versus 53 percent).

Fatty foods add to weight gain and can clog arteries, thereby increasing a person's risk of heart attack or stroke. Black and Hispanic adults have higher obesity rates than Whites, as do poor adults and those with limited education.

This AHRQ News and Numbers summary is based on data from pages 77 to 79 in the , which examines the disparities in Americans' access to and quality of health care, with breakdowns by race, ethnicity, income, and education.

For other information, or to speak with an AHRQ data expert, please contact Bob Isquith at Bob.Isquith@ahrq.hhs.gov or call (301) 427-1539.