GPs afraid to bring up patients' weight problems - study

"The delicacy of initiating talk about weight was evident in our video analysis of GP consultations, affirming that GPs do not wish to risk offending their patient or creating imbalance in their doctor-patient relationship," said lead researcher Lesley Gray of the University of Otago.

"For example, fewer doctors would ask a question like: 'Have you put on a bit of weight?' Instead, they were more likely to ask a question like: 'Weight-wise, where do you think you're at?'

"By avoiding a question of statement that directly or explicitly referred to the patient being overweight, GPs opened up a face-saving 'escape-route' if the patient proved to be resistant to pursuing the discussion."