Nanny's 30 Second Obesity Intervention

The Guardian reports the following about a 30 second obesity intervention:

"GPs who raise the issue of their patients’ obesity in the surgery will not offend them and are likely to help them reach a healthy weight, a new study has shown.

Doctors are notoriously nervous of telling people they are overweight and worry that initiating any discussion will lead to a long, fruitless conversation about failed diets and eating habits that will go on long beyond a 10-minute consultation.

But a trial of a 30-second intervention in which the GP suggests the patient’s weight may be affecting their health and offers them a place on a weigh-loss programme reveals advice can make a major difference, according to research published in the Lancet medical journal.

More than 130 GPs who took part in the trial, involving more than 1,800 patients, were asked to start a conversation that might go like this:

GP: While you’re here, I just wanted to talk about your weight. You know the best way to lose weight is to go to [a weigh-management programme such as Slimming World or Rosemary Conley] and that’s available free on the NHS?
Patient: Oh?
GP: Yes, and I can refer you now if you are willing to give that a try?

The patients were randomly assigned to be offered either an NHS-funded place on a 12-week weight-management programme or advice to lose weight. The researchers found that 77% of those offered a weight-management programme said yes, and 40% went to all the sessions. At the end of a year, those people had lost 2.43kg (0.38 stone) on average, while those given advice by the GP had also lost weight, but less, at an average of 1.04kg."

I wouldn't be offended either, if my doctor (who I visit once every 16 years or so, ie when I am very ill or when I need a medical) suggested that I needed to deal with my weight.

However, nothing on the planet would force me into a "programme". You lose weight by cutting calories and exercising more, I don't need to state to monitor my activity level or calorie intake!

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