Doctors warned not to make obese feel guilty

The tone used to discuss obesity should be “respectful” and “non-blaming” in order to “minimise harm”.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has published new draft guidance on tackling obesity.

It said doctors, GPs and other health workers, as well as providers of lifestyle weight management services, should monitor their tone.

The guidance also provides instructions for Public Health England, which is responsible for public health campaigns.

The guidance said all these professionals should “be aware of the effort needed to lose weight and avoid further weight gain and the stigma adults who are overweight or obese may feel or experience”.

“Ensure the tone and content of all communications or dialogue is respectful and non-blaming,” it stated.

“The terminology used to describe the person’s condition should respect individual preferences.”

Other recommendations include ensuring equipment and facilities can cope with the overweight or obese.

According to Nice, dealing with the long-term consequences of obesity costs the NHS an estimated £5.1bn every year.