According to a new study, whether or not physicians diagnose obesity may not just depend the patient’s weight.

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health analyzed a survey of 500 primary care physicians and found that physicians with a normal body mass index are more likely to discuss weight and diagnose patients with obesity than heavier physicians.

“Physicians with normal BMI have greater confidence in their ability to provide diet and exercise counseling and perceive their weight loss advice as trustworthy when compared to overweight or obese physicians,” said Sara Bleich, PhD, lead author of the study and an assistant professor with the Bloomberg School’s Department of Health Policy and Management.

The study results are featured in the January issue of Obesity.