NHS Programmes
NHS Digital Weight Management Programme
The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme is for adults living with obesity and also have type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or both. It’s free and accessible via a smartphone, tablet or computer.
Who is eligible to be referred?
- You must be 18 or over.
- You must have a BMI greater than 30. The BMI threshold will be lowered to 27.5 for people from black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds, as we know people from these ethnic backgrounds are at an increased risk of conditions such as Type 2 diabetes at a lower BMI.
- You must have diabetes, high blood pressure, or both.
- You must have a smartphone, tablet, or computer with internet access.
How can I be referred?
If you meet the referral criteria, you will need to speak to your GP or local pharmacist who can refer you to the programme. To find out more, see the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme website.
Healthier You
The Healthier You programme is the national type 2 diabetes prevention programme across England. It offers tailored personalised support to help people with lifestyle changes to help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Who is eligible to be referred?
- You must be aged over 18 years old.
- Registered with a GP in our of the locations that the programme is being delivered in.
- Not pregnant (unless you currently have Gestational Diabetes).
- Able to do light/moderate physical activity.
- You have no been previously diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
How can I be referred?
If you are at risk of type 2 diabetes and eligible for the programme, you can join by getting a referral from your GP, nurse or healthcare professional. You can find out more about the Healthier You programme here.
In Scotland, many of the health boards offer type 2 prevention courses. Please speak to your healthcare team for more details about what is available in your area.
NHS Better Health
The NHS Better Health website is full of resources to help you lose weight, get more active and live a healthier lifestyle.
On the site you can download the free NHS weight loss plan app which is accessible to anyone with a smartphone or tablet.
It is a 12 week plan and will help you:
- set weight loss goals
- plan your meals
- make healthier food choices
- get more active and burn more calories
- record your activity and progress
You can download the app on the App Store or Google Play.
The app will work out your BMI for you and gives you a weight loss target to aim for over the 12 weeks. It also gives you a recommended calorie limit which is based on your height, weight and sex.
You can also access many different articles that will give you information on healthy eating, exercise, keeping motivated and tips for success to help you achieve your goals.
Local services
Many areas offer free places on local weight management programmes for adults living with overweight and obesity. You can search for your local authority here and then look for weight management or healthy lifestyle support that is available in your area.
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