Treatment options for obesity

Support can take many forms. For some people, making changes to daily habits is enough to improve health and lose weight. Others may benefit from structured programmes, medicines, or in some cases, surgery.

Your healthcare team will help find the approach that is right for you.

Lifestyle changes

For many people, the first step is making changes to eating habits, physical activity, and sleep. Even small adjustments can improve health and help with weight loss.

Your healthcare team might suggest:

• Eating a balanced diet with fewer high-calorie, high-fat, and high-sugar foods
• Increasing physical activity in ways you enjoy
• Improving sleep quality and managing stress
• Keeping track of your weight and activity levels

Group programmes and support

The NHS offers weight management programmes in many areas. These can be delivered in person, online, or as a mix of both. They often include:

• Nutrition advice
• Activity plans
• Behaviour change support
• Group discussions for motivation and accountability

Your GP or healthcare team can tell you what is available locally.

Medicines

If lifestyle changes alone are not enough, your clinician might discuss medicines that can help. These work in different ways, such as reducing appetite or helping you feel full sooner.

Medicines are not suitable for everyone and are usually prescribed alongside lifestyle changes. Your healthcare professional will explain the benefits, possible side effects, and how long they might be needed. Some of these medicines, like Mounjaro, are only allowed to be prescribed by the NHS to very specific patient groups, which your healthcare team has no control over.

Surgery

Weight loss surgery, also called bariatric surgery, may be considered for people with a BMI of 40 or more, or a BMI of 35 or more with other serious health conditions like type 2 diabetes.

Types of surgery include gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, and gastric band. These procedures can lead to significant weight loss, but they also carry risks and require long-term changes to eating habits.

Choosing the right option for you

Your treatment plan should be personal to your needs. What works for one person may not work for another.

It is important to have an open conversation with your healthcare team. They can help you understand the choices available and support you to make changes at a pace that feels manageable.