People coming off obesity medication or finishing a weight
management programme should be offered support to help keep the
weight off and stay healthy long-term, according to new guidance
from NICE.
In an updated quality standard published today (Tuesday 5
August), NICE is calling on healthcare services to offer
structured advice and follow-up support for people after they
complete weight management treatment.
Research shows that many people regain weight after stopping
treatment if they don't get the right help. This can negatively
affect both their physical and mental health.
To close this gap, the new standard sets out clear expectations
for healthcare providers. These include offering ongoing advice
and tailored action plans - covering everything from regular
check-ins and practical strategies to support with sustainable
routines, social support and accessing community help.
This guidance comes as new weight loss drugs like semaglutide
(Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are available to those with
the greatest need on the NHS. Around 240,000 people are expected
to be offered tirzepatide over the next three years.
Professor Jonathan Benger, deputy chief executive and
chief medical officer at NICE, said: “Successful weight
management doesn't end when medication stops or when someone
completes a behavioural programme.
“We know that the transition period after treatment is crucial,
and people need structured support to maintain the positive
changes they've made.
“This new standard makes sure services provide that vital
continuity of care, and it supports the NHS 10 Year Plan to shift
from a ‘sickness service' to a genuine health service focused on
prevention.”
Under the new guidance, healthcare teams should monitor people
for at least a year after they complete treatment and offer extra
support if needed. This could include practical advice from
programmes like NHS Better Health on changing daily habits or
making adjustments at home or work to avoid slipping back.
Dr Rebecca Payne, Chair of NICE's Quality Standards
Advisory Committee, said: “Weight management is a
long-term journey, not a short-term fix. The evidence is clear
that advice and support for maintaining weight after stopping
medicines or completing behavioural interventions can help
prevent weight regain and enable people to experience lasting
benefits.
“We've seen excellent examples of services that already provide
comprehensive discharge planning and ongoing support. This
quality standard will help ensure all healthcare providers adopt
these best practices, giving every person the best chance of
maintaining their weight management success over the long term.
“This standard ensures healthcare services are equipped to
provide that essential ongoing support.”
The updated standard replaces three previous standards and
reflects the most up-to-date thinking on how to tackle overweight
and obesity through the health system.
As well as emphasising continuity of care, the quality standard
highlights the importance of helping people build long-term
behavioural habits, use self-monitoring tools, and draw on wider
support - from online communities to family-led interventions and
local activities.
The scale of the challenge is clear. In England, 29% of adults
are living with obesity, and 64% are classified as overweight or obese. Obesity
is known to increase the risk of a number of serious conditions including
type 2 diabetes, heart disease, some cancers and musculoskeletal
problems - with rising prevalence placing growing pressure on the
NHS and the wider economy.
Estimates suggest obesity
costs the NHS £11.4 billion a year, with a wider economic impact
of £74.3 billion due to lost productivity, unemployment and
increased demand for social care.
Healthcare providers and commissioners are expected to begin
rolling out the standard immediately. Resource impact guidance is
available to help services embed the changes locally.
The full quality standard is available on the NICE website and
provides detailed implementation advice for services across
England and Wales.
