This booklet offers evidence-based guidance to help primary care clinicians identify and treat children, young people and adults who are overweight or obese. It supports the care pathway that the Department of Health made a commitment to developing in the White Paper Choosing Health: Making Healthy Choices Easier. You will find the care pathway one version for adults and another for children and young people at Appendices A and B.
Although the resources have a general practice focus, they may also be useful for other practitioners in primary care and be used opportunistically to advise patients they may see for reasons other than obesity. School nurses may also play a key role in the treatment of children and young people.
Overweight and obesity should be treated like any other medical condition, and patients should have access to appropriate treatment and care. A sensitive, empathic, non judgemental approach should underpin all obesity related intervention. The advice provided within this pathway is intended to complement the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines, which are due for release later this year and is likely to be updated accordingly. Although the pathway focuses on treatment, the importance and value of prevention should not be underestimated. This pathway, while based on the best available evidence, recognises the need for further research in the primary care setting.
The pathways in Appendices A and B are available as laminated posters. In addition to this booklet, the following tools will help practitioners to understand and implement the pathways:
- Raising the Issue of Weight, a laminated card for health professionals, with tips on how to initiate the discussion with patients.
- Why Weight Matters, a card for patients who are not yet committed to losing weight. This card will discuss risks associated with overweight, the benefits of modest weight loss, and practical tips for people to consider.
- Your Weight, Your Health, a booklet for patients who are ready to think about losing weight.
The Faculty of Public Health/National Heart Forum toolkit gives further guidance on the development of obesity services and is available Clinicians should also refer to the local guidelines. Training strategies will cover obesity, so that knowledge and skills will develop over time. The Department of Health produced this pathway after reviewing the evidence base and holding a time limited consultation with more than 70 organisations.
contents
Introduction
Adults
Children and young people (under 20 years)
References
Appendix A: Adult Care Pathway (Primary Care)
Appendix B: Children and Young People Care Pathway (Primary Care)
Appendix C: ‘Raising the issue of weight’ tool for adults
Appendix D: ‘Raising the issue of weight’ tool for children and young people
Appendix E: Centile BMI charts for children
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PDF Ebook Care pathway for the management of overweight and obesity
