The role of physicians in promoting weight loss

•This study examines if healthcare advice to lose weight affects weight outcomes.•The analysis relies on a non-experimental survey of overweight and obese people.•Advice is associated with a 10 lb loss for women and a 12 lb loss for men.•Both diet and exercise habits are associated with weight loss.

There are numerous costs resulting from being overweight or obese. A relevant question is how to effectively reduce rates of obesity. I examine the effect of advice from a physician or heath care provider to lose weight on individual weight outcomes using survey data. I account for selection bias using a control function approach and rely on data restrictions to control for simultaneity. I find robust results indicating that advice has a significant effect on weight loss. Several studies suggest physicians may not adequately advise their patients about weight loss. The results of this paper highlight an important opportunity for physicians to advise at-risk patients.