Effects of gender, physical activity, weight status, and mental health symptomatology on primary care utilization
Carew, John W Cotton, Jaime Shoshan, Hannah Gevirtz, Alex Delaney, Thomas O'Malley, Donna
Carew, John W
Cotton, Jaime
Shoshan, Hannah
Gevirtz, Alex
Delaney, Thomas
O'Malley, Donna
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Abstract
Objectives. To determine the association between weight status, gender, physical activity, and mental health symptomatology on utilizing primary care in the last year. Methods. We used data from the 2019 Vermont Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. We used multivariate logistic regression and X2 tests of association to assess factors associated with primary care utilization. Results. Gender and obese or overweight status are significantly associated with one’s likelihood of utilizing healthcare in the past year. For those with 1-13 bad mental health days, the odds of having utilized healthcare in the past year are 1.65 times greater among women than men, and 1.86 times greater among people who are obese or overweight than among those who are not obese or overweight. Conclusions. Obese or overweight adults and women with a more significant mental health burden are more likely to utilize primary care. Findings suggest the effectiveness of initiatives addressing the health risk factors of these individuals in the primary care setting.
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2022-01-01