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From margins to mainstream: Making psychological interventions for the treatment of obesity and weight management core to NHS primary care
Obesity continues to impose a significant economic and social burden on the National Health Service (NHS). Despite the implementation of a tiered model of care, psychological support within Tier 2 services remains inconsistent, often delivered by non-specialists, thereby undermining its efficacy. This editorial posits that meaningful advancements necessitate a more robust integration of evidence-based psychological interventions—including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy—into standard primary care practices. The current landscape of provision is marked by variability, with numerous patients facing prolonged wait times for access to higher-tier services and limited availability of structured mental health support within community settings. Although digital tools have demonstrated potential, their adoption is frequently inconsistent and inequitable. Primary care is uniquely positioned to address these challenges by enhancing the skills of General Practitioners (GPs) and allied health staff, incorporating psychologists within Primary Care Networks, and scaling digital support initiatives. Such measures could facilitate earlier and more equitable interventions, alleviating the burden on secondary care. To manage obesity effectively and sustainably, it is imperative that Tier 2 services transition from their current fragmented approach to a model where psychological care is acknowledged as a central component of treatment. [NPID: Cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, acceptance and committment therapy].
Year: 2025
