Recently published data from the Scottish Government suggest that by 2030 the total cost to Scottish society of obesity (direct and indirect costs) could range from £0.9 billion to £3 billion. This highlights the burden of obesity on the healthcare system. In response to the problem of obesity, SIGN published its clinical guideline on the Management of obesity. This document updates and supersedes the previous SIGN guidelines on obesity in adults (SIGN 8, 1996) and obesity in children and young people (SIGN 69, 2003).
Although, the SIGN guideline focuses on treating affected individuals with elevated health risks, it acknowledges that this represents only one aspect of a wider societal solution. The need for a comprehensive and multisectorial approach to prevention of obesity is highlighted.
As with all SIGN guidelines, each recommendation is accompanied with a grade relating to the strength of the supporting evidence on which the recommendation is based. In this article, these grades, along with good practice points (GPP), appear in brackets after recommendations. The key to evidence statements and grades of recommendations can be found in the guideline.
Read review by Dr Kevin McConville (registration and login to site required)