NHS weight loss programme being rolled out

[Davros]

What do people think of this? I don't get why they don't put more resources into rolling out the injections, people with diabetes are already eligible for them through the NHS afaik. They are proven to be effective and, with good supervision, there seems to be little risk. I heard a Prof on Radio4 who said there is a lot of data, evidence and experience showing they are safe, it surprised the interviewer who was expecting them to say they are experimental and fatties should work harder for it. I can't link to that, I heard it in passing and can't remember when or what programme it was

www.england.nhs.uk/2024/05/nhs-expands-soup-and-shake-diets-to-thousands-more-patients-with-type-2-diabetes-across-england/

Also to add. Weight loss injections may help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugars. Tey may also lose weight. But they do not reverse type 2 like VLC diets do. So you still have long term health implications of type 2 and the cost to the NHS for treatment. When managed properly they should be a vital part of NHS treatment for type 2. Its good they're increasing the availability.

People who bash VLC diets don't understand them. Injections are not the amazing cure people think they are.

It's a scientific fact that UPFs are the leading cause of obesity.

That’s interesting can you link.

I’ve never eaten a protein bar, so can’t really comment on the chicken thing.

@heavenisaplaceonearth read ultra process people. Explains it all.

People who delude themselves about UPFs will regret it

Aren't the bars and shakes 'processed' too??

What's the point?

For years the NHS has been providing access to weight loss training/education and exercise classes. I know, I've done them. Didn't work, for me anyway

Yes, that's the point.

It doesn't do anything to actually help educate people and help them change their lifestyles

You said it was THE leading cause of obesity, I’m asking you to link to what you are presenting as accepted scientific fact. Is it actually the case that it isn’t the leading cause of obesity at all but more your personal take on things?

@heavenisaplaceonearth I've just told you the source.

It sounds like you read a diet book @NeedSomeAnswersPlease rather than any actual science?

The GLP1 injections are currently unavailable for people with T2 diabetes due to lack of stock.
This has been the case for nearly 2 years.
Usually, yes, if you fit the criteria, they are very good and useful to most people.
Professor Taylor's work on diabetes remission (which is what your link is about) is well researched and respected
www.ncl.ac.uk/magres/research/diabetes/reversal/#publicinformation

You can't reverse type two, once you have it you have it for life like type one.

However it can be put into remission. There's no magic cure for diabetes.

Which injections are out of stock??

No, the author (his name escapes me) has been carrying out research into UPF for years.

There's also an epidemic of loneliness.

This week we're hosting 20 people for lunch on Saturday and two extra people for supper one evening, as well as making a couple of meals for a family where one parent is unwell.

I can see some real benefits to rationing (even though I'm not sure I like the idea of that level of government control), but it would definitely reduce our capacity to live in close community.

Ozempic it's a shortage. To many people getting their hands on them.

Great for initial weight loss, but education is needed about how to maintain weight loss, and the whole psychological issue around why people eat too much has to be addressed. Most people are not overweight through greed. There can be complex psychological issues around weight gain, which the nhs never want to address.

I lost 9 stone in 9 months doing meal replacement, 800 calories, it was bars too though. It worked and I've kept it off as towards the end I introduced healthy food again. Kept it off years
I'm all for supporting the injections though! And think it'd be much easier without all the food noise. I think the same problems would exist once injections end, but think more people will be successful with them than shakes

I’ve done this weight loss program and worked on the team that helped bring it to NICE for inclusion in the NHS.

In very simple terms it is designed to re-kick start your pancreas and the way it does this is the very very rapid loss of visceral fat - specifically from around your liver. Loosing weight in general is merely a side effect.

We know that individuals who loose >10kg are more likely to keep the weight off >2yrs later.

It comes with peer support and a dedicated nutritionist and check in every month and the dedication and reintroduction of food. It is highly structured. It is not cheap. Not at all.

I, despite all my knowledge and support and understanding of the science involved, could not stick to it. I have lost 16kg using mounjaro.

Make of that what you will.

Most people use mounjaro these days

More effective than ozempic and loads of stock.

I've done it on my own multiple times and agree it's not a 100% cure. But if you track your weight regularly it's a great way to stay in control without being too restrictive so if I want to have a bad few weeks over the summer I know doing 2 weeks of shakes and soups in September will get me back to my maintenance weight.

this programme is great IF paired with therapy/cooking instruction/budget help/treatment of contributing illness.

but exactly that's where the nhs is shit not very good at and not joint up enough.

I agree OP. Weight loss injections could be extremely beneficial and life changing for a lot of people, and would save the NHS a lot of money in the long term. If they can tackle the obesity crisis then they will save huge amounts of money on treating numerous heart attacks, strokes and cancer cases in the future.

The NHS should consider rolling this out starting with people with BMI 40+ as soon as possible.

I absolutely agree with this - there is loads of information about what constitutes a healthy diet yet people still over eat / eat high calorie foods. The NHS has some very good resources regarding eating well but like any diet many people struggle to stick to it.
I don't think its a case of the NHS hasn't tried to educate people. I think they have but it is more complex than just eat this and don't eat that.

Because the shakes are meal replacements - I got the sachets and that was all I consumed for three months. Absolutely nothing else, so no real food at all. While I take the injections I'm eating a healthy diet of normal food which I can continue with long-term (that's the idea anyway).

Yes, prevention would be better! I won't go into an explanation of why that didn't work for me and I ended up needing to find a cure because I know what MN is like when it comes to weight threads and I don't need to put myself in the firing line, I was just interested to see the NHS investing in this.