Contact: laces@ucl.ac.uk

People living with severe mental illness, intellectual disabilities or physical disabilities are more likely to experience unique challenges (both physical and psychological) that make weight management more difficult. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends weight management programmes that focus on diet, physical activity, and behaviour change. However, there is little evidence on how well these programmes work for these specific groups. To address this gap, the NIHR commissioned this review to inform future guidance on behavioural weight management strategies. 

The review is being supported by an Advisory Group of experts with lived and professional experience. We will use a mixed methods review to bring together both personal experiences (qualitative research) and intervention evaluations (effectiveness research) to understand the challenges people with severe mental illness, intetllectual disabilities or physical disabilities that limit mobility face in weight management and how well weight management interventions work to address these challenges. A mixed methods approach will help us to develop a holistic understanding of both the nature of the challenges people face, the effectiveness of interventions, and the experience of being involved in weight management interventions, helping to develop more effective and inclusive support.

This project begins through a Qualitative Evidence Synthesis on the views and experiences about weight management for people living with severe mental illness, intellectual disabilities or physical disabilities that limit mobility. Further details on this component of the work will be published here shortly in the form of a protocol.