Quality standard

Quality statement 7: Referral to a lifestyle weight management programme for people with comorbidities

Quality statement 7: Referral to a lifestyle weight management programme for people with comorbidities

Quality statement

Adults identified as overweight or obese with comorbidities are offered a referral to a lifestyle weight management programme.

Rationale

It is important for general practice teams and other healthcare professionals to offer a referral to a local lifestyle weight management programme to adults who are overweight or obese with comorbidities in order to improve their health outcomes.

Quality measures

The following measures can be used to assess the quality of care or service provision specified in the statement. They are examples of how the statement can be measured, and can be adapted and used flexibly.

Structure

Evidence of local arrangements to ensure that adults who are identified as overweight or obese with comorbidities are offered a referral to a lifestyle weight management programme.

Data source: Local data collection.

Process

Proportion of adults who are identified as overweight or obese with comorbidities who are referred to a lifestyle weight management programme.

Numerator – the number in the denominator who are referred to a lifestyle weight management programme.

Denominator – the number of adults who are identified as overweight or obese with comorbidities.

Data source: Local data collection.

Outcome

a) Number of adults who are identified as overweight or obese with comorbidities enrolling in lifestyle weight management services.

Data source: Local data collection.

b) Obesity prevalence among adults with comorbidities.

Data source: Local data collection.

c) Obesity‑related comorbidities

Data source: Local data collection. The number of people with type 2 diabetes, hypertension and coronary heart disease is shown in the Quality and outcomes framework indicators DM001, HYP001 and CHD001.

What the quality statement means for different audiences

Service providers (such as local authorities and providers of lifestyle weight management programmes) ensure that a referral to a locally commissioned suitable lifestyle weight management programme is offered to adults who are identified as overweight or obese and who have comorbidities.

Healthcare professionals (such as GPs, practice nurses and dietitians) offer a referral to a locally commissioned lifestyle weight management programme to adults who are identified as overweight or obese and who have comorbidities.

Commissioners ensure that adults who are identified as overweight or obese and who have comorbidities are offered a referral to a locally commissioned lifestyle weight management programme and that there is sufficient capacity to meet demand.

Adults who are overweight or obese and have other conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis, heart disease or sleep apnoea are offered a referral to a local lifestyle weight management programme to help them improve their overall health.

Definitions of terms used in this quality statement

Adults who are overweight or obese

Adults are assessed to see if they are overweight or obese using their body mass index (BMI). The following table shows the cut‑off points for a healthy weight or being overweight or obese.

Classification BMI (kg/m2)

Healthy weight

18.5 to 24.9

Overweight

25.0 to 29.9

Obesity I

30.0 to 34.9

Obesity II

35.0 to 39.9

Obesity III

40.0 or more

BMI is a less accurate indicator in adults who are highly muscular, so it should be interpreted with caution in this group.

Waist circumference can also be used to assess whether someone is at risk of health problems because they are overweight or obese (up to a BMI of 35 kg/m2). For men, a waist circumference of less than 94 cm is low risk, 94 to 102 cm is high risk and more than 102 cm is very high risk. For women, a waist circumference of less than 80 cm is low risk, 80 to 88 cm is high risk and more than 88 cm is very high risk.

Using lower BMI thresholds to trigger action to reduce the risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes has been recommended for adults of black African, African‑Caribbean and Asian family origin. The lower thresholds are 23 kg/m2 to indicate increased risk and 27.5 kg/m2 to indicate high risk. [Adapted from NICE's guideline on weight management: lifestyle services for overweight or obese adults]

Adults with comorbidities

Adults with any other comorbidities in addition to being overweight or obese, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, dyslipidaemia and sleep apnoea. [Adapted from NICE's guideline on obesity: identification, assessment and management]

Equality and diversity considerations

Healthcare professionals should take into account the cultural and communication needs of adults who are overweight or obese with comorbidities when making a referral to a lifestyle weight management programme.

Healthcare professionals should ensure that people of black African, African‑Caribbean or Asian family origin are offered a referral to a lifestyle weight management programme if they have a BMI of 23 kg/m2 or more because of their increased health risk.

Providers of lifestyle weight management programmes should have an inclusive approach that encourages people from all backgrounds to participate. This includes using a respectful and non‑judgemental approach. Particular attention should be given to engaging people who may be less likely to participate, such as people with learning difficulties or mental health problems and those from lower socioeconomic groups.

Providers of lifestyle weight management programmes should be able to meet the specific needs of women who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are trying to lose weight after pregnancy.