Table 2 Factor analysis by principal axis factoring w/Varimax rotation with Kaiser normalization, revealed 7 factors, interpreted below

Metabolic defect

0.79

Endocrine disorder

0.77

Factor 1:

Medical Causation

Most obese patients could reach a normal weight (for height) if they were motivated to do so

-0.55

Attribution of obesity to metabolic, endocrine & genetic causes is associated with accommodation for obese patients, and inversely associated with ability of patients to control obesity

Genetic factors

0.53

I make accommodations for obese patients

0.43

Physical inactivity

0.78

Factor 2:

Motivational Causation

Overeating

0.61

Factors related to a more pejorative attitude toward obese patients are distinct from both medical cause as well as apparently psychopathological causes

Lack of willpower

0.54

Restaurant eating

0.43

Physicians should be role models by maintaining a normal weight

0.81

It is acceptable to use "scare tactics" to obtain compliance of the obese patient

0.56

Factor 3:

Aggressive Physician Role

I feel competent in prescribing weight loss programs for obese patients

0.54

Use of medication chronically, scare tactics, physician role-modeling & accommodation all grouped together, indicating a more aggressive approach to obesity intervention

I make accommodations for obese patients

0.47

Medications to treat obesity should be used chronically

0.44

Physicians should be role models by maintaining a normal weight

0.81

Repeated dieting (weight cycling)

0.83

Factor 4:

Psychobehavioral Causation

Restaurant eating

0.71

Attribution of obesity to psychological problems and weight cycling may be tied together under eating disorders, along with restaurant eating

Poor nutritional knowledge

0.54

Factor 5:

Dissympathy

I have negative reactions towards the appearance of obese patients

0.85

Reactions toward obese appearance & difficulty w/empathy are associated; positively correlated w/age & years in practice

It is difficult for me to feel empathy for an obese patient

0.82

Factor 6:

Medication Usage

Medications to treat obesity should be limited to short-term (3 months) use

-0.87

Physicians who support long-term or chronic use of medication to control obesity tend to not agree with limits on term of use and vice versa

Medications to treat obesity should be used chronically

0.68

Most obese patients are well aware of the health risks of obesity

0.66

Factor 7:

Physician Nihilism

Most obese patients will not lose a significant amount of weight

0.62

The assumptions that patients are aware of health risks, and yet won't lose weight is associated with an assumption about low likelihood of success in helping these patients lose weight

I am usually successful in helping obese patients lose weight

-0.59