Slimming World on Referral

Tackling Obesity in Primary Care - a feasibility study to assess the practicalities of working in partnership with the commercial slimming sector.

Background

Obesity has to be regarded as one of the most important preventable challenges to health in the UK. It is a risk factor for a range of significant medical consequences (6). Risk of coronary heart disease, respiratory disease and diabetes increases with increasing body weight. In addition, there are clear inequalities in health with the burden of obesity falling on people in lower socioeconomic groups (7). The National Audit Office estimates that the costs of obesity to the NHS are in the region of £0.5bn per year, while the costs to the wider economy are in excess of £2bn per year (8). It is imperative that innovative approaches are sought to establish both cost effective and sustainable weight management programmes in a manner which closes the health gap between different population groups. In response to the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease which included early milestones for the development of local programmes to reduce overweight and obesity, promoted healthy eating and increased physical activity, a strategic framework for tackling obesity was developed in Southern Derbyshire (9). Among a number of approaches for local action, the framework proposed working in partnership with the commercial slimming sector as an opportunity for weight management.

Slimming World's head office is based in South Derbyshire, providing an ideal collaborative opportunity to test a referral scheme locally. Following wider discussion with health professionals and Slimming World personnel, a feasibility study was set up to establish how best to manage such a partnership. (10).

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*References on this page:
6. Brownell KD, Wadden TA. Journal of Clinical and Consulting Psychology, 60: 505-517, 1992.
7. Southern Derbyshire Health Survey. Southern Derbyshire Health Authority, 1999
8. National Audit Office. Tackling Obesity in England. HMSO, London, 2001.
9. Avery A. Tackling Obesity in Southern Derbyshire: A Framework for Action, 2000.
10. Managing overweight and obesity – a major public health problem. Seminar held for Derbyshire Heath Practitioners at Slimming World Head Office, Alfreton, Derbyshire, November 2000.