Menu
28/05/2014
Obesity Continues To Rise
Losing even a small amount of weight can help to improve the health of people who are overweight or obese and lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer, says the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
The number of people who are overweight or obese in England continues to rise with more than a quarter of adults now classified as obese and a further 42% of men and a third of women classed are overweight. The long-term consequences of obesity place a huge strain on the NHS costing around £5.1 billion each year.
While there are a number of lifestyle weight management programmes already on offer across England, the effectiveness of the programmes can vary.
This latest guidance sets out the key components that need to be included in lifestyle weight management programmes in order for them to be effective, and highlights that there is no "magic bullet" to tackling obesity.
People attending a lifestyle weight management programme should look to make gradual, long-term changes to dietary habits and physical activity levels and aim to lose around 3 per cent of their body weight.
The programmes should, however, explain that the more weight lost, the greater the health benefits particularly if someone loses more than 5 per cent of their body weight and maintains this for life.
Gill Fine, independent public health nutritionist and Chair of the group which developed the NICE guidance, said: "Obesity is one of the biggest health issues facing the UK. It's a complex problem with no single solution, but programmes which aim to help people manage their weight can make a difference. What we have done in this new guidance is to identify the key components that need to be included in these programmes for them to be effective.
"These include setting realistic weight loss and weight maintenance goals, ensuring the programme is at least 12 weeks long and making sure the people running the programme are properly trained. We hope that these practical recommendations will help people make life-long lifestyle changes so they lose weight and most importantly help prevent those pounds from coming back."
(CVS/CD)
The number of people who are overweight or obese in England continues to rise with more than a quarter of adults now classified as obese and a further 42% of men and a third of women classed are overweight. The long-term consequences of obesity place a huge strain on the NHS costing around £5.1 billion each year.
While there are a number of lifestyle weight management programmes already on offer across England, the effectiveness of the programmes can vary.
This latest guidance sets out the key components that need to be included in lifestyle weight management programmes in order for them to be effective, and highlights that there is no "magic bullet" to tackling obesity.
People attending a lifestyle weight management programme should look to make gradual, long-term changes to dietary habits and physical activity levels and aim to lose around 3 per cent of their body weight.
The programmes should, however, explain that the more weight lost, the greater the health benefits particularly if someone loses more than 5 per cent of their body weight and maintains this for life.
Gill Fine, independent public health nutritionist and Chair of the group which developed the NICE guidance, said: "Obesity is one of the biggest health issues facing the UK. It's a complex problem with no single solution, but programmes which aim to help people manage their weight can make a difference. What we have done in this new guidance is to identify the key components that need to be included in these programmes for them to be effective.
"These include setting realistic weight loss and weight maintenance goals, ensuring the programme is at least 12 weeks long and making sure the people running the programme are properly trained. We hope that these practical recommendations will help people make life-long lifestyle changes so they lose weight and most importantly help prevent those pounds from coming back."
(CVS/CD)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 November 2011
Weight Watchers Diet Proves Better Than NHS
Commercial weight management programmes are more successful and cost less than those offered by primary care facilities such as GP surgeries and pharmacies, according to research from the University of Birmingham.
Weight Watchers Diet Proves Better Than NHS
Commercial weight management programmes are more successful and cost less than those offered by primary care facilities such as GP surgeries and pharmacies, according to research from the University of Birmingham.
28 July 2010
Pregnant Women's Obesity Levels Rising
The health of babies is being put at risk because obesity levels among pregnant women have reached 'epidemic' levels, health experts are warning.
Pregnant Women's Obesity Levels Rising
The health of babies is being put at risk because obesity levels among pregnant women have reached 'epidemic' levels, health experts are warning.
15 March 2006
Vegetarian diet 'keeps weight low'
Meat-eaters who switch to vegetarianism gain less weight than people who make no changes to their diet, a new study has suggested. Scientists from Cancer Research UK studied the eating habits of 22,000 meat eaters, fish eaters, vegetarians and vegans of all ages over five years and compared weight gains in all the categories.
Vegetarian diet 'keeps weight low'
Meat-eaters who switch to vegetarianism gain less weight than people who make no changes to their diet, a new study has suggested. Scientists from Cancer Research UK studied the eating habits of 22,000 meat eaters, fish eaters, vegetarians and vegans of all ages over five years and compared weight gains in all the categories.
09 September 2011
WeightWatchers 'More Effective'
Overweight and obese adults referred to Weight Watchers, a community based provider of weight-loss services, lost more than twice as much weight when compared with those who received standard care, research has revealed.
WeightWatchers 'More Effective'
Overweight and obese adults referred to Weight Watchers, a community based provider of weight-loss services, lost more than twice as much weight when compared with those who received standard care, research has revealed.
25 June 2008
Controversial Weight Loss Drug Available For NHS Use
Despite fears of an increased risk of depression and possible suicide as a 'side-effect', a controversial anti-obesity drug has been made available for NHS use.
Controversial Weight Loss Drug Available For NHS Use
Despite fears of an increased risk of depression and possible suicide as a 'side-effect', a controversial anti-obesity drug has been made available for NHS use.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
