Critical that every contact counts in obesity fight, says CSP

CSP professional adviser Stuart Palma: 'We need to be more proactive in tackling the obesity crisis.'

Responding to reports that NICE is proposing to include the taking of BMI scores in performance indicators for GPS, Stuart Palma, professional adviser at the CSP, said:

'These measurements should be taken as a matter of course because it is very important that people are given access to weight management programmes.

'The evidence is clear that the public responds to advice on weight management so it is critical that all appropriately-trained health professionals - not just GPs - make every contact count.

'These will be difficult discussions at times, and we appreciate the time pressures that GPs, like physiotherapists, face each day.

'But we need to be more proactive in tackling the obesity crisis and taking these measurements is a good start.'

Physiotherapists are key professionals in weight management programmes, supporting people to exercise safely and effectively.

Note to editors

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1. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is the UK’s professional, educational and trade union body. We have more than 54,000 members, including chartered physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and support workers.