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4.6 Tackling obesity

Source: Photodisc Blue/Getty Images

In England in 2002, almost six out of ten women and seven out of ten men were overweight or obese, bringing health risks that include diabetes, heart disease and cancer. National initiatives to promote healthier behaviours, such as 5-a-day for fruit and vegetables, and exercise on prescription, could be developed in the pharmacy setting. The evidence (Annex 4) suggests that pharmacy-based weight reduction programmes are effective.

Choosing Health proposes a 'care pathway' for obesity.

  • Raise awareness and provide information
  • Raise the issue opportunistically and provide advice
  • Refer as appropriate to specialist services, e.g. diet, physical activity, drugs, surgery
  • Review and maintain progress

Obesity prevention in Dorset

Roger King, a community pharmacist in Dorset, educates people about diet, nutrition and weight management, referring them to a GP when appropriate. He provides education programmes in schools, including a seminar on healthy living, the importance of a balanced diet, and the health risks of being obese.

Roger King

Multidisciplinary healthy lifestyle advice

A community pharmacist, district nurse, exercise and fitness co-ordinator and nurse practitioner in Basildon held a healthy living event on No Smoking Day. As well as the opportunity to discuss ways to stop smoking, people were able to get their blood pressure checked and find out how to improve their health through physical activity and healthy eating.

Shalina Guy

Vanas Pharmacy, Pitsea

Obesity and weight management in Denmark

With kind permission of Chemist & Druggist

One quarter of Danish community pharmacies offer weight management services on a group or individual basis. The model was developed by the Danish College of Pharmacy Practice in 1999. Pharmacists and their staff undergo two days' training and are issued with an operational manual. Support groups consist of 10-12 people and are run by a pharmacist and one or two pharmacy assistants. People attend eight 90-minute sessions. The service for individuals includes five counselling sessions, of which the first is the longest, with subsequent sessions intended to take 5-10 minutes.

PharmacyHealthLink and RPSGB, 2005

Action points:

  • PCTs should consider involving community pharmacies in their programmes for tackling obesity, including regular weight checks, healthy lifestyle advice and, where appropriate, supply of appropriate antiobesity medicines (either through PGDs or supplementary prescribing or independent prescribing in the future)
  • Programmes should include signposting to other services and, if appropriate, referral to personal health trainers when they become available
  • There may also be benefits in pharmacists contributing to outreach weight management programmes in schools and workplaces

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