The BDA welcomes the news that Public Health Wales, with support from Life Sciences Hub Wales, has been awarded £8 million of grant funding from Innovate UK to develop innovative weight management services in Wales.
Obesity and overweight are a huge challenge for public health in Wales. Research suggests as many as 62% of adults in the country could be living with these conditions, having a substantial impact on people's quality of life and risk of a range of long-term health conditions. Such a high prevalence inevitably leads to further strain on already stretched health services and further exacerbates health inequalities.
The BDA believes that targeted funding and programmes like this grant will be crucial in decreasing the prevalence of these preventable conditions through innovative means. We'd like to recognise and thank the dietitians that have been instrumental in supporting the application and process - this is a huge success and a testament of their hard work. It also demonstrates the value and impact of the dietetic profession.
Liz Stockley, CEO of the British Dietetic Association, said "Dietitians play a central role in effective weight management, ensuring through their expertise that patients can use an evidence-based nutrition approach to get to and remain at a healthy weight.
"The profession looks forward to bringing that experience and knowledge to this programme to ensure weight management services continue to innovate to deliver more effectively for the Welsh public."
Members can learn more on the Public Health Wales website.