GPs should put all overweight patients on a diet even if they came in for something else, researchers say

Scientists say GPs should not fear offending obese patients and should send them to weight loss classes to save NHS money

More than half of British men and half of women will be obese by 2050 (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

GPs should tell all overweight patients to go on a diet and attend slimming classes, scientists at Oxford University have said – even if they are visiting the doctor about something completely unrelated.

Researchers found patients whose GP offered them the opportunity to attend weight loss classes shed more fat than another group whose family doctor simply advised that they slim down.

They said it proves GPs should discuss weight loss with their patients even if they do not think it is worthwhile or fear causing offence.

Patients seem to agree with the verdict: 81 per cent of participants in the survey were glad their GP had raised the issue with them, while only four of the 1,882 people involved said they thought it was inappropriate.

The study was led by Professor Paul Aveyard, an expert in behavioural medicine at the University of Oxford and a practising GP. He said: “Doctors can be concerned about offending their patients by discussing their weight, but evidence from this trial shows that they should be much less worried.”

“Our study found that a brief, 30-second conversation, followed by help booking the first appointment on to a community weight loss programme, leads to weight loss and is welcomed by patients."

“On average, people consult their doctor five times a year, meaning there is huge opportunity to deliver this low-cost intervention on a large scale."

The study tracked almost 1,900 overweight patients who went to see their GP about an issue unrelated to weight loss. At the end of the consultation, half of the participants were offered a 12-week weight loss programme for free on the NHS while the other half were simply told they would benefit from losing weight.

More than three quarters (77 per cent) of those offered the slimming support initially agreed to attend, while 40 per cent actually took part.

After one year, patients offered the weight loss class had lost more than five pounds in weight compared to a reduction of just two pounds among those who were simply advised to get in shape.

More than one in ten people who attended the slimming classes lost at least 10 per cent of their body weight – double the number in the group that weren’t offered the course.

The scientists said GPs being pro-active about discussing weight loss with patients could save the NHS money, as slimming classes cost significantly less than other treatments for obesity, even before factoring in the many other health-related costs that are linked to being overweight.

One in four British adults is currently obese, according the United Nations – the highest obesity rate in Western Europe. The proportion of seriously overweight people in the UK has more than trebled in the last 30 years, causing a public health crisis and placing the NHS under increasing strain.

It is forecast that, by 2050, 60 per cent of British men and 50 per cent of women will be clinically obese.