As the use of medications for obesity continues to grow, the British Dietetic Association (BDA) is clear that people need more than a prescription.
These medications can be an important treatment option for some people living with obesity or type 2 diabetes, with evidence showing they can help reduce hunger, support weight loss and improve blood sugar control.
But they are not a complete solution on their own.
The BDA’s new resource for people taking medications for obesity shares practical support with food, fluids, side effects, movement and long-term behaviour change.
Our wider position is also clear. Medications for obesity should sit alongside holistic care, with dietitians included as part of the support around treatment.
Why this matters now
Medications for obesity such as Wegovy, Mounjaro and Saxenda are now widely discussed by patients, healthcare professionals, policymakers and the media.
The Health and Social Care Committee has recently taken evidence on food and weight management, including access to NHS weight management services and the rollout of medications for obesity.
During the evidence session, the Government confirmed that the rollout of medications for obesity will take place over 12 years, with 220,000 people expected to be assessed and offered treatment by June 2028.
A recent parliamentary question from Andrew Cooper MP also asked which professional groups are included in NHS clinical pathways for patients prescribed weight loss medications. In response, the Government said specialist services provide wraparound care from a multidisciplinary team, including nutritional, psychological and medical support.
However, the response also confirmed that NHS England does not routinely hold information on the specific professional groups included in local clinical pathways.
This matters because dietetic support cannot be left to chance. If medications for obesity are being rolled out through different local pathways, there must be clear expectations about the nutrition and dietetic support people receive.
For BDA members, this is an important moment. Dietitians have the skills and experience to help make sure these treatments are used safely, effectively and fairly.
Medication alone is not enough
The BDA supports the safe and appropriate use of prescribed medications for obesity, in line with national clinical guidance.
But medication should not replace dietetic care.
The BDA and British Nutrition Foundation position statement says people taking GLP-1 and GLP/GIP receptor agonists should have access to a multidisciplinary team. This includes physicians, psychologists and specialist dietitians. It also says people should not be prescribed the medication alone.
This is especially important because people taking these medications may eat much less than before. The BDA’s new resource explains that it is still important to eat and drink regularly, even when portions are smaller.
Without the right advice, people may struggle to get enough protein, fibre, fluids, vitamins and minerals. They may also lose greater amounts of muscle. The resource explains that eating enough protein and doing strength activities can help limit muscle loss.
Some people may also need support with nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, food noise, body image, mental health or disordered eating.
These are not small issues. They can affect health, quality of life and whether treatment is successful in the long term.
Dietitians are trained to assess these risks and translate the evidence into practical advice. They can help people understand what to eat, how to stay well, how to protect muscle and how to make realistic changes that fit their lives.
The role of dietitians
Obesity is a complex, relapsing, long-term condition. It is shaped by biology, psychology, genetics, environment, income, access to food, physical activity, health inequalities and wider social factors.
That is why care needs to look at the whole person.
Dietetic support can help people taking medications for obesity with:
- nutrition assessment and advice
- protein, fibre, fluids and meal patterns
- physical activity and strength-based movement
- side effects and nutritional risks
- food noise and eating behaviours
- disordered eating and mental health concerns
- long-term support during and after treatment
This support should be built into prescribing pathways from the start. It should not depend on whether someone knows where to look for help or can afford to pay privately.
New BDA resource
The guide has been developed by dietitians and co-designed with people living with obesity and other key stakeholders. It gives practical advice on eating well, staying hydrated, managing side effects, protecting muscle and making long-term lifestyle changes.
It is free to access and is designed for patients, carers and healthcare professionals.
The resource explains that medications for obesity can help people feel fuller for longer and may support blood sugar control. It also makes clear that they work best alongside healthy lifestyle habits. They are not a stand-alone solution or a quick way to lose weight for good.
The guide also explains why people should speak to their healthcare team before starting treatment, especially if they are pregnant, planning pregnancy, taking other medications, having surgery or have concerns about disordered eating.
It is not a replacement for individual advice from a dietitian. Instead, it gives clear, trustworthy information at a time when many people are receiving little or no specialist support.
Our advocacy work
The BDA will continue to make the case for dietitians to be central to obesity care.
As access to medications for obesity develops, we want to see dietetic-led support included as a core part of treatment. This should apply across NHS and private pathways.
A key development in providing this service would be if dietitians, like nurses and pharmacists, could be granted independent prescribing rights. Currently, they have supplementary prescribing rights which involve the creation of a clinical management plan in conjunction with a doctor. This added level of bureaucracy will limit the effectiveness of providing services to people living with obesity wishing to access medications.
We also want to see fair access to high-quality weight management care, so support is not limited by postcode, income or whether someone can afford private treatment.
The BDA will work with the BDA Obesity Specialist Group and members across our community to strengthen our advocacy on this issue.
Our message is simple.
Medications for obesity may be part of the future of weight management, but they must be supported by proper care.
Prescriptions alone are not enough.
Dietitians must be part of the pathway.
Funding note: Novo Nordisk provided a grant and Eli Lilly and Company Limited provided sponsorship to the BDA to support the development and production of this obesity management resource material. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and Company had no input into or influence over the creation, development or content contained in this material.
