Obesity specialists needed in GP surgeries, say experts
According to the Department for Health, by 2050 the obesity crisis could be costing the NHS double what it is now.
In order to deal with the rapidly spreading crisis, experts are now recommending that all GP surgeries put together a team of specialist GPs, nurses and dieticians whose job it is to exclusively tackle the epidemic.
With obesity now costing the NHS a staggering £4.2bn annually, prevention should be at the forefront of managing the growing crisis and the rising costs.
Health experts are now recommended that all GP practices introduce a team of weight management specialists in a bid to help individuals keep their weight down and to lose weight before they become obese.
However, as it stands very few healthcare professionals are skilled in weight and obesity management and do not have the adequate knowledge and experience in this area.
GPs are well versed in dealing with the consequences of obesity, but not the weight gain itself and this is the area in which they require far more training.
If an obese individual visited their GP to ask for help with weight loss their GP would be able to refer them to surgery if they needed to shed more than five stone. However, those in the middle who are looking to lose between 15Ibs and five stone will often find their General Practitioner is unable to offer them much guidance other than the generic reduce calorie intake, exercise and eat healthily.
Experts are now calling for obesity management to be covered more thoroughly in a doctors basic education and are also recommending that each general practice introduce a dedicated ‘obesity team’ in which one GP will head up the day-to-day weight management.
Dr Clare Gerada, Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners has said that GPs would welcome a more structured approach to tackling the obesity crisis but said it would need to receive adequate funding in order for it to work.
Often individuals who do suffer from weight concerns experience a drop in self-confidence and self-esteem, which in some cases can lead to the development of depression. Feeling negative and unhappy about our body image can really have a knock on effect on all areas of our lives, from our personal lives and relationships through to our working lives and relationships. If you are feeling low then you may benefit from talking things through with a qualified counsellor or psychotherapist.
For information about how a counsellor could help you to overcome low self-confidence, low self-esteem or depression, please visit the relevant fact-sheet to find out more.
View the original BBC News article.