(Press-News.org) Study shows there are six different types of obese people
Treating individuals according to which 'type' could be more effective
Targeted strategies would also mean a more efficient use of NHS services
One size does not fit all when it comes to tackling obesity, according to a new study by the University of Sheffield.
Researchers looking at how to tackle the country's obesity issue - which costs the NHS £6billion pounds every year* - found that currently individuals are often treated the same regardless of how healthy they are, where they live or their behavioural characteristics.
The research found those who have a BMI of 30 or over actually fit into one of six groups and strategies to successfully tackle weight loss should be tailored according to which group they fall into.
The study, led by Dr Mark Green from the University's School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), identified the six groups as: young males who were heavy drinkers, middle aged individuals who were unhappy and anxious, older people who despite living with physical health conditions were happy, younger healthy females, older affluent healthy adults and individuals with very poor health.
Researchers highlighted the importance for health policy makers to recognise differences in individuals with obesity and to target or tailor interventions accordingly. The approach may not just be more effective in helping individuals to achieve a healthier lifestyle, but a targeted healthcare approach could also be a more efficient use of NHS services.
Dr Green, said: "Policies designed to tackle obesity and encourage healthier lifestyles often target individuals just because they are obese. But a focus on just the group as a whole is not very efficient. We are all different and different health promotion approaches work for different people.
"Our research showed that those in the groups that we identified are likely to need very different services, and will respond very differently to different health promotion policies.
""In the future, we hope that GPs will keep in mind these six groups when offering advice to their patients."
Researchers suggested messages about alcohol reduction could help tackle obesity in young adults while for middle aged individuals who are unhappy and anxious an intervention involving increasing exercise mixed with psycho-social counselling could be beneficial. Young healthy females may not need any intervention, researchers said.
For those in the poorest health group the study showed advice surrounding exercise may not be reasonable and much more modest goals may be needed and for the affluent healthy elderly weight loss could be a priority.
Researchers used data from the Yorkshire Health Study which included 4,144 obese individuals. They hope the findings, which are published in the Journal of Public Health, will provide advice for policymakers and drive future studies into tackling obesity.
INFORMATION:
Notes to editors
For a copy of the research paper please email clare.parkin@sheffield.ac.uk
Data was taken from the Yorkshire Health Study and was collected from 27,806 individuals, of which 4,144 were classed as having a BMI greater than or equal to 30.
*Figures on obesity costs to the NHS from the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) report published November 2014.
The University of Sheffield
With almost 26,000 of the brightest students from around 120 countries, learning alongside over 1,200 of the best academics from across the globe, the University of Sheffield is one of the world's leading universities.
A member of the UK's prestigious Russell Group of leading research-led institutions, Sheffield offers world-class teaching and research excellence across a wide range of disciplines.
Unified by the power of discovery and understanding, staff and students at the university are committed to finding new ways to transform the world we live in.
In 2011 it was named University of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards and in the last decade has won four Queen's Anniversary Prizes in recognition of the outstanding contribution to the United Kingdom's intellectual, economic, cultural and social life.
Sheffield has five Nobel Prize winners among former staff and students and its alumni go on to hold positions of great responsibility and influence all over the world, making significant contributions in their chosen fields.
Global research partners and clients include Boeing, Rolls-Royce, Unilever, AstraZeneca, Glaxo SmithKline and Siemens, as well as many UK and overseas government agencies and charitable foundations.
For further information, please visit http://www.sheffield.ac.uk
For further information please contact: Clare Parkin, Media Relations Officer, on 0114 222 9851 or email clare.parkin@sheffield.ac.uk
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