Is There a Role for Primary Care Physicians' Screening of Excessive Weight and Eating Concerns in Adolescence?

ObjectivesTo determine the extent to which adolescents with excessive weight concerns and eating concerns are in contact with primary care physicians and could thus be identified in primary care.Study designA representative sample of 7548 (16 to 20 years old) students completed a self-administered questionnaire on health-related topics (2002 Swiss Multicenter Adolescent Health Survey). Adolescents with excessive weight and eating concerns were compared with control subjects for frequency of somatic complaints and primary care visits in the past year. Analyses were stratified by sex. Logistic regression was used to adjust for confounders.ResultsExcessive weight and eating concerns were frequent in adolescents, particularly in girls (girls, 13.9%; boys, 1.6%). Adolescents with these concerns reported more frequent somatic complaints compared with their peers. Nearly 80% of them were in contact with a primary care physician at least once a year.ConclusionPrimary care physicians are in contact with adolescents who have excessive weight and eating concerns. Identification of these concerns should be encouraged for appropriate management.