by Dr Sophia Samuel
Weight and obesity are major health issues in general practice. Nearly two thirds of adults, and a quarter of children and adolescents are overweight or obese1.
These individuals are then at increased risk of disability from back pain, osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers2. However, if an at-risk adult reduced their weight by 3kg, they reduce their future disease burden by 14%3.
Neighbourhood and social influences contribute to Australia's obesogenic environment, and evidence-based community and policy interventions4 are required as an urgent and integral part of a population health system response.
To assist GPs with managing patients who are overweight or obese, HealthPathways has developed the following pathways:
- Management of Overweight and Obesity in Adults
- Weight Management Specialist Referral
- Bariatric-Metabolic Surgery
- Bariatric Surgery Specialist Referral
3 https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/f8618e51-c1c4-4dfb-85e0-54ea19500c91/20700.pdf.aspx?inline=true