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Weight-loss clubs 'best option' | Weight-loss clubs 'best option' |
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By Michelle Roberts Health reporter, BBC News Being in a group helps people lose weight, says one nutritionist | By Michelle Roberts Health reporter, BBC News Being in a group helps people lose weight, says one nutritionist |
A leading nutritionist says GPs should send obese patients to weight-loss schemes rather than offer NHS help because they will see better results. | A leading nutritionist says GPs should send obese patients to weight-loss schemes rather than offer NHS help because they will see better results. |
Dr Susan Jebb of the Medical Research Council found in a study that people in a WeightWatchers programme lost twice as much weight as those with GP care. | Dr Susan Jebb of the Medical Research Council found in a study that people in a WeightWatchers programme lost twice as much weight as those with GP care. |
WeightWatchers part-funded the study, but Dr Jebb stressed similar schemes would be as effective. | WeightWatchers part-funded the study, but Dr Jebb stressed similar schemes would be as effective. |
The National Obesity Forum said buying in services could benefit NHS patients. | The National Obesity Forum said buying in services could benefit NHS patients. |
The NHS is currently running pilot schemes with WeightWatchers. | The NHS is currently running pilot schemes with WeightWatchers. |
GPs can buy one patient a 12-week course for about £45. | GPs can buy one patient a 12-week course for about £45. |
It was one of these schemes in Northampton that Dr Susan Jebb and colleagues studied, as well as two similar projects running in Australia and Germany. | It was one of these schemes in Northampton that Dr Susan Jebb and colleagues studied, as well as two similar projects running in Australia and Germany. |
Over the course of a year, the Northampton GPs referred half of 772 overweight patients to weekly WeightWatchers meetings, paid for by the doctor's surgery. | Over the course of a year, the Northampton GPs referred half of 772 overweight patients to weekly WeightWatchers meetings, paid for by the doctor's surgery. |
The other half received GP-led care. This typically involved things like providing leaflets about healthy eating and scheduled appointments with a nurse for weigh-ins and advice. | The other half received GP-led care. This typically involved things like providing leaflets about healthy eating and scheduled appointments with a nurse for weigh-ins and advice. |
The patients had their weight recorded at regular intervals throughout the year to see the results. | The patients had their weight recorded at regular intervals throughout the year to see the results. |
At each measurement appointment, WeightWatchers came out best. | At each measurement appointment, WeightWatchers came out best. |
By 12 months, that group had lost twice as much - nearly 7kg (15lbs) on average per patient, compared to around 3kg (6lbs) in the GP-led group. | By 12 months, that group had lost twice as much - nearly 7kg (15lbs) on average per patient, compared to around 3kg (6lbs) in the GP-led group. |
Although this amount of weight loss may seem small, the researchers say it can make a big difference in terms of health. | |
Cost-effective | Cost-effective |
Dr Jebb said: "Losing four to five kilograms can halve a person's diabetes risk if they are overweight, so even a little can be beneficial. | Dr Jebb said: "Losing four to five kilograms can halve a person's diabetes risk if they are overweight, so even a little can be beneficial. |
"We know a lot of people are overweight and need to lose weight. The challenge is how you do it. | "We know a lot of people are overweight and need to lose weight. The challenge is how you do it. |
"In the NHS we do not have the resources for a massive weight management programme. But this would be cost effective." | "In the NHS we do not have the resources for a massive weight management programme. But this would be cost effective." |
But Dr Jebb said that WeightWatchers was not unique, and that any similar programme involving regular weight checks, goal-setting and peer support could achieve the same. | But Dr Jebb said that WeightWatchers was not unique, and that any similar programme involving regular weight checks, goal-setting and peer support could achieve the same. |
"It's having a weekly weigh-in and the accountability it brings with it, as well as the support of the group, that seems to work. | "It's having a weekly weigh-in and the accountability it brings with it, as well as the support of the group, that seems to work. |
"People are more likely to stick at it." | "People are more likely to stick at it." |
Fewer patients in the WeightWatchers group dropped out of the trial than in the GP-led group, although compliance was a problem generally, with just over half of the patients completing the trial overall. | Fewer patients in the WeightWatchers group dropped out of the trial than in the GP-led group, although compliance was a problem generally, with just over half of the patients completing the trial overall. |
Dr Jebb stressed weight-loss schemes would not be suitable for everyone, and GPs should bear this in mind. | Dr Jebb stressed weight-loss schemes would not be suitable for everyone, and GPs should bear this in mind. |
"Men may not feel it's the right group for them, nor some ethnic groups. It's certainly not some panacea for the nation's weight problems. | "Men may not feel it's the right group for them, nor some ethnic groups. It's certainly not some panacea for the nation's weight problems. |
"But GPs can now be confident that here is a way they can really help some of their patients that's based on evidence." | "But GPs can now be confident that here is a way they can really help some of their patients that's based on evidence." |
Determination | Determination |
The health advisory body National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) already recommends in guidelines that GPs should consider referring overweight patients to a commercial provider. | The health advisory body National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) already recommends in guidelines that GPs should consider referring overweight patients to a commercial provider. |
Dr Brian Karet of the Royal College of GPs said it was important that patients had the motivation to shed excess pounds. | Dr Brian Karet of the Royal College of GPs said it was important that patients had the motivation to shed excess pounds. |
"Many GPs will try and find out how determined people are to lose weight, using techniques such as motivational interviewing, but it helps enormously to have a locally available group-based programme to then point people towards. | "Many GPs will try and find out how determined people are to lose weight, using techniques such as motivational interviewing, but it helps enormously to have a locally available group-based programme to then point people towards. |
"Primary care trusts and commissioning groups should certainly consider setting up locality-based groups like this, or buying in to one of the commercial providers of weight loss support such as WeightWatchers." | "Primary care trusts and commissioning groups should certainly consider setting up locality-based groups like this, or buying in to one of the commercial providers of weight loss support such as WeightWatchers." |
Tam Fry of the National Obesity Forum said: "GPs are generalists by definition whereas WeightWatchers are the 'consultants' in their field. | Tam Fry of the National Obesity Forum said: "GPs are generalists by definition whereas WeightWatchers are the 'consultants' in their field. |
"It's therefore not surprising that the latter achieve the better results. | "It's therefore not surprising that the latter achieve the better results. |
"Referral to any organisation with a proven weight-loss system which can be replicated anywhere has to be the best option for the patient, the GP and the NHS. | "Referral to any organisation with a proven weight-loss system which can be replicated anywhere has to be the best option for the patient, the GP and the NHS. |
"It may upset some PCTs to use commercial suppliers - but they do produce value for money." | "It may upset some PCTs to use commercial suppliers - but they do produce value for money." |
The trial will be presented at the International Conference on Obesity in Stockholm this week. | The trial will be presented at the International Conference on Obesity in Stockholm this week. |