Health profiles of overweight and obese youth attending general practice

Abstract

Background Literature suggests that overweight and obese young people use healthcare services more often, but this awaits confirmation in primary care. Objective To identify health profiles of underweight, overweight and obese young people attending general practice and compare them to normal-weight youth and also to explore the weight-related health risks of eating and exercise behaviour in the four different weight categories. Methods This study used a cross-sectional design with baseline data from a trial including 683 young people (14-24 years of age) presenting to general practice. Through computer-assisted telephone interviews data were obtained on number and type of health complaints ..