Supporting conversations about healthier weight in Primary Care

Excess weight continues to be one of the most pressing public health challenges in the UK. It is strongly linked with health inequalities, disproportionately affecting communities experiencing higher deprivation and contributing to long-term conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. For colleagues in primary care, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity.

Conversations about weight can be complex, often shaped by barriers such as limited time, concerns about stigma, and uncertainty around referral pathways. These barriers can mean opportunities for early and supportive intervention are missed.

To help address this, Health Equalities Group has developed “Why weight to talk?” – a training programme designed to support frontline staff in having compassionate, effective conversations about healthier weight. The programme has been delivered to over 600 frontline professionals across Cheshire and Merseyside with further projects being delivered in Blackburn with Darwen, Northumbria and Lancashire.

Commissioned by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) North West, the training introduces the wider determinants of healthier weight, explores the impact of weight stigma, and provides practical tools for navigating sensitive conversations with confidence. This 45 minute introductory session is grounded in evidence and has been co-designed with partners across local authorities, the NHS and the voluntary sector.

By building both knowledge and confidence, “Why weight to talk?” empowers practitioners to move beyond transactional interactions and towards trust-based, person-centred conversations that reduce stigma and support improved health outcomes.

Project co-lead Michael Viggars said:

“We know that raising conversations about weight can feel daunting, but when done with compassion and confidence they can have a real impact. This training encourages practitioners to exercise their discretion, choosing the right moment to engage and focusing on building rapport. By taking a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach, colleagues in primary care can create safe, supportive spaces where patients feel understood and empowered to make healthier choices.” 

For more information about this training opportunity, please contact: michael.viggars@heg.org.uk