NICE says GPs 'should be nicer' to fat people

"Don't be nasty to fat people," is the front page headline in the Daily Mail. The paper reports on new draft guidelines that encourage doctors to be "respectful and non-blaming" when discussing people's weight problems. The headlines stem from new draft guidelines published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for the management of overweight and obese adults, focusing on lifestyle weight management services. Despite the media's focus on the commonsense recommendation that obese people should be treated with respect, the draft guidelines offer a host of other useful recommendations. These include promoting the message that even minimal weight loss can bring significant health benefits, and that there is no "magic bullet" for weight loss. People may have to try a number of approaches before they find what works for them, the guidance says. The NICE guidelines are in the draft stage, so the recommendations are currently provisional and may undergo some changes after consultation with stakeholders. Final guidance is likely to be published some time next year, when the recommendations come into effect for health professionals. What is the purpose of the draft guidelines? NICE produces guidance on promoting good health and preventing, diagnosing and treating illness for healthcare professionals and other organisations with a role in healthcare, such as councils. The organisation aims to ensure that people receive the...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Food/diet Lifestyle/exercise Obesity QA articles Source Type: news