The Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO) has submitted written evidence to the House of Commons Health and Social Care Select Committee inquiry on Food and Weight Management.
The submission focuses on four key questions set by the Committee, exploring:
- The challenges and opportunities that new weight-loss medications, such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, present to individuals and the NHS;
- The cost-effectiveness of these medications and how they compare with other treatments;
- How well current NHS weight management services are functioning, and whether they provide equitable access; and
- What changes and support are needed to ensure fair access and to make best use of innovations in obesity care.
Drawing on published academic evidence, the ASO submission calls for a national framework and long-term investment in weight management services to end postcode variation and ensure equitable access for all. It highlights the potential of new pharmacological treatments when delivered as part of a holistic, multidisciplinary pathway, and stresses the importance of tackling weight stigma across healthcare and society.
The evidence was authored by Dr Kath Roberts, Professor Emilie Combet Aspray, Professor Nicola Heslehurst, and Dr Julia Mueller, on behalf of the Association for the Study of Obesity.
ASO’s key recommendations to the Committee include:
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Expanding NHS weight management services (Tier 2–4) with consistent national commissioning;
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Integrating pharmacotherapy with behavioural and nutritional support;
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Investing in training for healthcare professionals in obesity management and stigma reduction;
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Ensuring equitable access to services and medicines across all regions; and
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Providing sustained government leadership and funding to strengthen obesity care across the UK.
ASO welcomes the Committee’s focus on treatment and looks forward to supporting its work to ensure obesity is addressed with the urgency, equity, and evidence-based approach it deserves.
You can read our full submission here.
