Supporting patients living with obesity in general practice

Abstract

General practice is ideally suited to support patients with weight management. Hilda Mulrooney outlines some of the barriers facing nurses working in general practice and ways to overcome these Primary care is identified in national guidance as fundamental to supporting patients living with overweight and obesity. Despite this, weight is not routinely recorded and many practitioners are ambivalent about their role in this area. Barriers to addressing excess weight in primary care have been identified by patients and healthcare practitioners. This article outlines some of the barriers identified by both groups. In addition, approaches and resources which may help health professionals overcome barriers are suggested.