Body weight assessment and management in clinical practice

Patients who are overweight, including patients concerned about their risk of developing dementia, should be educated about lifestyle choices to help maintain a healthy weight.  Obesity in midlife increases the risk of dementia, as well as heart disease and a range of other conditions.

The RACGP Red Book briefly outlines the guidelines for assessing and managing body weight in primary care practice.  Patients’ body mass index and waist circumference should be measured, and those who are overweight or obese should be offered individual lifestyle education and skills training.

The RACGP SNAP guide provides detailed information on assessing BMI and waist circumference and assisting patients who need to lose weight.

Lifescripts resources provide brief guidelines and a prescription template for using with patients.

The NHMRC Clinical practice guidelines for the management of overweight and obesity in adults outline the aetiology of obesity and provide guidelines for assessing, measuring and treating overweight and obesity.

The NHMRC Overweight and obesity: A guide for general practitioners provides a summary of the detailed guidelines, a 10-step guide for management of overweight patients and a weight management plan template.

See also the clinical guidelines and resources pages for physical activity and for healthy eating.