Citerank: (11) 387263Benefits of diet and lifestyle measures often restricted and transientDiet and lifestyle interventions have restricted, often transient, benefits due to biological adaptations, that act to sustain high bodyweight.13EF597B, 387264Requiring bariatric surgery would be unethicalThe only treatment for obesity that has been proven to be successful for substantial long-term weight loss and improved quality of life in a high proportion of people is bariatric surgery; however, requiring people to undergo a major surgical procedure as a condition of receiving benefits seems far from ethical.13EF597B, 387265How to address cases in which suggested treatment is unsuccessful?What would happen in cases in which individuals try but fail to lose weight on the required programmes. And how will “trying” be determined? [1]8FFB597, 387268Only 1,780 people claiming sickness benefits due to obesity in May '14The number of people claiming sickness benefits with obesity as the primary reason for the claim is actually very small (only 1780 people as of May, 2014). [1], [2] 648CC79C, 387269More staff would be required to deliver and monitor these servicesAlthough government funding already supports some diet and lifestyle programmes for people with obesity, more funding would be needed to recruit and train staff to deliver these services and to monitor attendance and participation.13EF597B, 399727Withdraw sickness benefit from claimants who refuse obesity treatmentPeople who claim sickness benefit – incapacity benefit, severe disablement allowance, or employment and support allowance – because of obesity could have this money withdrawn if they refuse treatment for their obesity. [1]565CA4D9, 399821Benefits of diet and lifestyle measures often restricted and transientDiet and lifestyle interventions have restricted, often transient, benefits due to biological adaptations, that act to sustain high bodyweight.13EF597B, 399822Requiring bariatric surgery would be unethicalThe only treatment for obesity that has been proven to be successful for substantial long-term weight loss and improved quality of life in a high proportion of people is bariatric surgery; however, requiring people to undergo a major surgical procedure as a condition of receiving benefits seems far from ethical.13EF597B, 399823How to address cases in which suggested treatment is unsuccessful?What would happen in cases in which individuals try but fail to lose weight on the required programmes. And how will “trying” be determined? [1]8FFB597, 399824Only 1,780 people claiming sickness benefits due to obesity in May '14The number of people claiming sickness benefits with obesity as the primary reason for the claim is actually very small (only 1780 people as of May, 2014). [1], [2] 648CC79C, 399825More staff would be required to deliver and monitor these servicesAlthough government funding already supports some diet and lifestyle programmes for people with obesity, more funding would be needed to recruit and train staff to deliver these services and to monitor attendance and participation.13EF597B

The UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, has announced that people who claim sickness benefit (incapacity benefit, severe disablement allowance, or employment and support allowance) because of obesity could have this money withdrawn if they refuse treatment for their disorder. As part of their campaign for the next UK general election on May 7, 2015, the Conservative Party has pledged to reduce the benefits bill by £12 billion during the next parliamentary term if elected. Cutting benefits for people who are out of work for a preventable disorder if they refuse treatment might seem like a reasonable contribution to this target, and David Cameron has ordered a rapid review by Professor Dame Carol Black (an adviser to the UK Department of Health) into the feasibility of implementation of such an initiative.