Slimming World on Referral
Research

A number of Slimming World on Referral schemes have now been set up as research projects to pilot the service for specific groups or health conditions.  Examples include:

Sleep apnoea

Sleep apnoea is a disorder which causes the upper airway to collapse repeatedly during sleep.  The condition can be caused by several factors including obesity, which causes fat stored around the neck area to ‘squash’ the throat from the outside while the person is asleep.  To help find solutions to this distressing condition, Churchill Hospital in Oxford is working on collaboration with Slimming World to refer 50 sleep apnoea patients to groups, with the aim of observing how their weight loss impacts on the condition.

Pregnant women

Pregnant women with a BMI of over 30 are at increased risk of developing complications when pregnant or during childbirth.  Together with the midwife-led unit at University Hospital in Cardiff, we have started a clinical trial with over 200 overweight pregnant women with the aim of preventing further unnecessary weight gain while pregnant.  Other health indicators are being monitored, including general well being, babies’ birth weights and indices of pre-eclampsia and caesarean section. 

Teenagers

In two areas of the UK we have set up specific schemes to refer young people. In collaboration with University Hospital, Walsgrave a study has been set up in which 50 young people will be referred into Slimming World groups and weight change outcome measures be recorded over 12 weeks.  In another scheme, set up with Heywood, Middleton & Rochdale PCT where 1500 adults are being referred to our groups, up to 200 young people will also be referred and monitored.

Diabetes

We are currently working with Mid Essex Hospital to pilot a referral scheme for 50 obese patients with type 2 diabetes.  They will be referred into local Slimming World groups and their weight, waist circumference, blood pressure and glucose control will be monitored after 3 and 6 months with follow up after 1 year.

Learning difficulties

In conjunction with Berkshire East PCT we set up a new Slimming World group to trial the use of Slimming World on Referral specifically for members with learning difficulties. A Slimming World Consultant ran the group with support from the PCT’s learning difficulties care staff and members were given the opportunity to attend free of charge for 24weeks.  Average attendance was 19 weeks, weight change was -4.2kg and 55% achieved a 5% weight loss within the 24 weeks.