Weight management services

If you are aiming to lose weight, choose your weight management service with care. Some commercial programs offer safe, sensible advice on eating and lifestyle, while others rely on unproven or unhealthy methods.

For some people, actively trying to lose weight may not be appropriate at a particular time. A healthcare professional can help you judge when it is right for you and can support you to make lasting changes to your behaviour.

Talk to your doctor first#

It is important to speak with your doctor before starting any weight loss program. Your doctor knows your medical history and can either discuss suitable strategies with you or refer you to an accredited dietitian.

This is especially important if you take prescription medicine or have a pre-existing condition, such as:

• obesity
• diabetes (type 1, type 2 or gestational)
• pregnancy or breastfeeding
• kidney or liver conditions
• food allergies
• digestive disorders such as coeliac disease
• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• heart conditions, angina or cardiac arrhythmia
• an eating disorder or a history of disordered eating
• cancer
• epilepsy
• thyroid conditions
• depression
• gall bladder problems such as gallstones
• gout

Getting expert nutrition advice#

Accredited practicing dietitians are recognised professionals who can provide expert nutrition and dietary advice tailored to your individual needs. They can guide you to sound food and health information.

You can reach a dietitian in several ways:

• Ask your doctor to recommend and refer you.
• Ask your local council or community health service, which may keep a list of local dietitians or have one based on site.
• Use a professional dietetic association’s “find a dietitian” service if one is available in your area.

Choosing a reputable service#

Generally speaking, a good weight management service will:

• Aim to improve your overall health, such as lowering blood cholesterol and reducing your risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
• Encourage a balanced approach to eating, including foods from all the core food groups in appropriate portion sizes.
• Include regular exercise and physical activity, most days of the week.
• Cater to your individual requirements.
• Focus on decreasing body fat (for example, waist measurement), not just total body weight.
• Advise against a daily energy intake of less than 1,195 Calories (5,000 kJ), or roughly 1,200 calories per day.
• Recommend gradual weight loss of around one to four kilograms a month to begin with, aiming for a 10 to 20% loss of total body weight in the longer term if required.
• Welcome input from your doctor or other healthcare professional.
• Advise on how to improve long-term eating and exercise habits.
• Offer ongoing support, even after you have reached your target weight.
• Give clear information on all fees, costs of additional items and the refund policy.

Services to avoid#

Don’t use a weight management service that:

• Tells you to cut out one or more of the major food groups.
• Replaces food with powders or supplements.
• Encourages short-term changes rather than longer-term, sustainable ones.
• Uses unproven or unsafe equipment such as saunas, passive exercise machines, diuretics and body wraps.
• Focuses on rapid weight loss without explaining how to maintain a healthy weight in the long term.
• Asks you to sign up without being clear about all fees, costs and the refund policy.
• Promotes itself mainly through social media as a source of weight and health advice.

Very low energy diets and meal replacements#

If you decide to start a very low energy diet (VLED) using meal replacement shakes, bars or soups, consult a dietitian to make sure you:

• Are still meeting all your nutritional requirements.
• Have ongoing support to continue the program.
• Have access to advice for returning to your regular eating pattern, to minimise significant weight regain.

When choosing a home-delivered meal service, make sure it offers:

• A written health warning about the dangers of rapid weight loss, including the suggestion to consult your doctor.
• Detailed written information on the services offered, including delivery arrangements and the nutritional value of the meals.
• Clear information on all costs, including delivery charges.
• The option to cancel, including a pro rata refund.

Making a complaint#

If you are unhappy with a weight management service, raise a complaint with the company first. If you are not satisfied with the response, you can take the matter further with a consumer protection or professional regulatory body in your area.

Key points#

• Keeping your weight within a healthy range can reduce your risk of developing health conditions.
• It’s important to speak with your doctor before starting any weight loss program.
• Be cautious of services that focus on rapid weight loss without guidance on how to maintain a healthy weight in the long term.

Where to get help#