Recently NICE (the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) published Guidance on the prevention, identification, assessment and management of overweight and obesity in children and adults (2006).

The guidance makes recommendations to the NHS in its strategic role, employer role and delivery role. In addition the guidance makes recommendations to non-NHS organisations and the public.

This is the first 'full-system' guideline developed by NICE, covering prevention, identification and management. Follow this link for the NICE Obesity Guideline

Within Gateshead we will be looking at the guidance in detail and making the necessary adjustments to our local policies, programmes and strategies. So watch this space for further developments!

If you would like further information then please post a comment or email tom.hall@ghpct.nhs.uk (Health Promotion Specialist).