Improving NHS obesity care

New research from Leeds Beckett University’s Obesity Institute has helped improve an NHS programme supporting people living with type 2 diabetes and obesity to lose weight, reduce the need for medication and achieve remission.

The Obesity Institute, a global leader in obesity research, brings together academics, policy makers, practitioners, and people living with or at risk of obesity and their families and carers, to co-produce innovative and person-centred advances in obesity.

Experts led the study to evaluate the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Re:Mission programme with the assistance of an expert panel of patients with lived experience of obesity and/or diabetes. A graphic journal was co-produced with colleagues from the university’s Leeds School of Arts detailing the insights and recommendations.

The findings of this research found that a one-size fits all solution was not conducive, with older people and those from certain ethnic groups less likely to start the programme, and younger people and those living with severe obesity less likely to complete it.

Changes made to the Re:Mission programme as a result of the project included making it more people-focused, allowing participants to choose their preferred support method, and providing choice to help guarantee inclusion by reducing barriers to entry.

This involved suggesting a greater range of diet replacement products to avoid people being excluded due to income or location. Providing increased training for staff to highlight the importance of cultural awareness was another crucial recommendation, as well as improving the focus on using of behaviour change theory and techniques.

These recommendations have already been rolled out by the NHS across the country and will continue to provide critical learning to inform ongoing service improvements, alongside further research into the long-term effect of the programme.