Obesity prevention

Person-centred care: principles for health professionals

When working with people to prevent or manage overweight and obesity, health professionals should follow the usual principles of person-centred care.

Advice, treatment and care should take into account people's needs and preferences. People should have the opportunity to make informed decisions about their care and treatment, in partnership with their health professionals.

Good communication between health professionals and people is essential. It should be supported by evidence-based written information tailored to the person's needs. Advice, treatment and care, and the information people are given about it, should be non‑discriminatory and culturally appropriate. It should also be accessible to people with additional needs such as physical, sensory or learning disabilities, and to people who do not speak or read English.

For older children who are overweight or obese, a balance needs to be found between the importance of involving parents and the right of the child to be cared for independently.

If people do not have the capacity to make decisions, healthcare professionals should follow the Department of Health and social care's reference guide to consent for examination or treatment and the code of practice that accompanies the Mental Capacity Act. In Wales, healthcare professionals should follow advice on consent from the Welsh Government.

If the person is under 16, healthcare professionals should follow the guidelines in the Department of Health and Social Care's Seeking consent: working with children.