Managing Obesity within Australian Primary Care: Breaking Down the Barriers

• Step One: Baseline Assessment (Preparatory Consultations 1&2)
• Step Two : Advice, Support and Therapy (Review Consultations 3&4)
• Step Three: Referral as per Obesity Algorithm (Review Consultations 5-8)
• Step Four: Revision and Re-evaluation (Review Consultations 9+)

Obesity needs to be treated with empathy and without prejudice

Obesity is associated with increased risk of serious comorbidities

Obesity significantly affects quality of life and reduces average life exectancy

Effective treatment of obesity should address both the medical and social burden of disease

Obesity needs to be treated within the health care system as any other complex disease

Obesity manaement is lifelong task given that at present no cure exists

Calorie reduction, increased physical activity, and other lifestyle modifications are essential foundations upon which other therapies can be built

Realistic goals should be set

Anti-obesity pharmacotherapy can facilitate weight loss

Referral to specialist metabolic obesity services may be appropriate for selected patients