Do chiropractors undertake weight loss interventions?

PJH, Beliveau
McIsaac, Michael A.
Mior, SA
French, SD

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics

Journal Article

2018

University of Prince Edward Island

Mathematical and Computational Sciences

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate weight loss interventions offered by chiropractors to their adult patients. Methods: This paper reports a secondary analysis of data from the Ontario Chiropractic Observation and Analysis STudy (O-COAST) (Nc = 42 chiropractors, Np = 2,162 patient encounters). Multilevel logistic regression was performed to assess the odds of chiropractors initiating or continuing weight management interventions with patients. Two chiropractor variables and Show moreObjective: The purpose of this study was to investigate weight loss interventions offered by chiropractors to their adult patients. Methods: This paper reports a secondary analysis of data from the Ontario Chiropractic Observation and Analysis STudy (O-COAST) (Nc = 42 chiropractors, Np = 2,162 patient encounters). Multilevel logistic regression was performed to assess the odds of chiropractors initiating or continuing weight management interventions with patients. Two chiropractor variables and eight patient-level variables were investigated for influence on chiropractor- directed weight management. In addition, the interaction between the effects of patient weight and comorbidity on weight management interventions by chiropractors was assessed. Results: Around two thirds (61.3%) of patients who sought chiropractic care were either overweight or had obesity. Very few patients had weight loss managed by their chiropractor. Among patients with body mass index equal to or greater than 18.5 kg/m2, guideline recommended weight management was initiated or continued by Ontario chiropractors in only 5.4% of encounters. Chiropractors did not offer weight management interventions at different rates between patients who were of normal weight, overweight, or obese (p-value = 0.23). Chiropractors who graduated after 2005 were significantly more likely to offer weight management than chiropractors who graduated between 1995 and 2005 (OR 0.02; 95% CI [0.00, 0.13]) or prior to 1995 (OR 0.08; 95% CI [0.01, 0.42]). Conclusion: The prevalence of weight management interventions offered to patients by Ontario chiropractors is very low. Show less

Contact Author

green

POST-PRINT