Increased attendance rate: BMI matters, lifestyles don't. Results from the Dutch SMILE study

Ben van Steenkiste, Mieke F. Knevel, Marjan van den Akker*, Job F. M. Metsemakers

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Method. This study is part of the Study of Medical Information and Lifestyles in Eindhoven, the Netherlands (SMILE). Generalized estimated equations were used to determine the relation between attendance rate and the different lifestyle factors (N = 4444). Results. A higher body mass index was related to increased attendance rate in both male [relative risk (RR) 1.02; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.03] and female patients (RR 1.01; 95% CI 1.01-1.02). Lifestyles were not related to the attendance rate, except for a sedentary lifestyle in women (RR 1.08; 95% CI 1.04-1.12). Discussion. Since half of the Dutch population suffers from overweight or obesity and this number is still increasing, attendance rates will rise further. In order to relieve the GPs, nurse practitioners could play a more prominent role in lifestyle interventions concerning overweight and obesity and its related diseases.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)632-637
JournalFamily Practice
Volume27
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2010

Keywords

  • Attendance rate
  • frequent attenders
  • general practice
  • lifestyle

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