Patient centered weight management: non-diet approach

The Non-Diet Approach: Making the Shift to Weight-Inclusive Health Care course introduces a paradigm shift in health care, moving away from traditional weight-centric models toward a weight-inclusive approach. This course is divided into two comprehensive units designed to educate healthcare professionals on implementing evidence-based, compassionate, and sustainable care practices.

Unit 1: Patient-Centred Weight Management – Part A
This unit begins with an overview of weight concerns in Australia and explores the limitations of BMI as a health measure. Participants will review traditional weight management strategies and their long-term effectiveness, including the risks associated with dieting, such as weight cycling and mental health implications. The session uses a case study to contextualise these strategies, highlighting the challenges of achieving sustainable weight loss and the importance of addressing broader health determinants.
Key topics include:
- Prevalence and impact of weight concerns.
- Evidence-based weight management strategies.
- The risks of dieting, including weight regain and mental health effects.
- Patient-centred case studies to evaluate practical interventions.

Unit 2: Patient-Centred Weight Management – Part B
This unit focuses on the principles of the non-diet approach and weight-inclusive care. It explores the concepts of weight bias and stigma and their impacts on patient health and access to care. Practical applications of the non-diet approach are demonstrated, including strategies to foster positive patient relationships, create inclusive clinical environments, and support healthful behaviour changes without weight loss as the primary goal. The session also introduces the Health At Every Size (HAES) framework and discusses its role in reducing weight stigma and promoting well-being.
Key topics include:
- Weight bias and stigma: Definitions, impacts, and strategies for mitigation.
- Introduction to the non-diet approach and HAES principles.
- Practical strategies for promoting health and well-being independent of weight.
- Tools for creating inclusive care environments and addressing patient needs holistically.

Through this course, participants will gain practical skills to implement weight-inclusive care, foster respectful patient interactions, and address systemic issues of weight stigma, leading to better health outcomes and more inclusive healthcare environments.

1. Recommend dietary approaches for weight loss based on the aetiology of patients’ needs.
2. Investigate the rationale for the non-diet approach and apply the basic concepts in order to promote healthy eating and positive body image in patients.

All degree qualified medical practitioners.