New Hampshire doctor's words trigger obesity focus

Physician leaders say doctors must be sensitive when discussing obesity with patients, but they should not avoid the issue.

By Damon Adams, AMNews staff. Oct. 3, 2005.

A New Hampshire physician's battle with the state medical board over what he said to an obese patient has other doctors questioning what is OK to say to patients carrying unhealthy extra weight.

Rochester, N.H., family physician Terry Bennett, MD, attracted national attention in August when he said publicly that the New Hampshire Board of Medicine was investigating him because of an obese patient's complaint. Dr. Bennett said he gave the woman his standard obesity lecture that she likely would outlive her obese husband and have a tough time finding someone else because of her weight.

But state officials said Dr. Bennett made a racial remark when he told the patient to lose weight. According to documents, the woman alleged the doctor told her she may only be desirable to a "black guy." New Hampshire Senior Assistant Attorney General Richard Head said Dr. Bennett's remarks to the patient were in the context of obesity, but the probe is "related to the racial undertones."

Although the complaint has issues beyond how the doctor addressed the patient's obesity, it has nonetheless prompted some physicians to call the New Hampshire Medical Society and ask what they can say to obese patients without triggering a complaint.

"I've suggested to the board of medicine that they clarify the obesity issue," said Palmer Jones, the society's executive director.

The board's probe comes at a time when obesity has reached a crisis level and physicians are being urged to place more emphasis on the problem with patients. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 65% of U.S. adults are overweight or obese. A new report in August by the advocacy group Trust for America's Health said obesity rates increased in every state last year except Oregon.