Primary care physician perception of the importance of possible causes of obesity, overall and by years since completing medical school, N (%)
| Overall | Years since completing medical school | p Value | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N=500 | <20 N=277 | 20+N=223 | ||
| Individual biological factors | ||||
| Genetics or family history | 372 (75) | 205 (74) | 168 (75) | 0.77 |
| Metabolic effect | 234 (47) | 135 (49) | 99 (44) | 0.43 |
| Endocrine disorder | 140 (28) | 84 (30) | 56 (25) | 0.30 |
| Individual behavioural factors | ||||
| Insufficient physical activity | 496 (99) | 274 (98) | 223 (100) | 0.05 |
| Overconsumption of food | 496 (99) | 276 (99) | 221 (99) | 0.86 |
| Restaurant or fast food eating | 474 (95) | 274 (99) | 200 (90) | <0.01 |
| Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages | 470 (94) | 264 (95) | 206 (93) | 0.36 |
| Lack of will power | 441 (89) | 250 (90) | 197 (88) | 0.60 |
| Physical/social environmental factors | ||||
| Cultural factors | 422 (85) | 239 (86) | 184 (83) | 0.43 |
| Lack of information on good eating habits | 375 (75) | 222 (80) | 154 (69) | 0.03 |
| Lack of access to healthy food | 294 (59) | 178 (64) | 116 (52) | 0.03 |
Source: Survey of General Practitioners, Family Practitioners and General Internists between 9 February and 1 March 2011.
Notes: p Values are for t tests for differences in proportions. Percentages reflect respondents rating potential causes as very or somewhat important. The mean year medical school was completed is 1993.