Recommendations for research

The guideline committee has made the following recommendations for research.

Key recommendations for research

1 Surgical referral threshold for people who are unable to receive treatment for other conditions

What is the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of bariatric surgery in achieving weight loss and improving treatment outcomes in people who are unable to receive treatment for other health conditions (such as joint replacement surgery or fertility treatment) because they are living with obesity? [2023]

For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on when to refer adults for bariatric surgery.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review C: referral for bariatric surgery.

2 Surgical referral threshold for people from minority ethnic family backgrounds

What is the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of bariatric surgery in achieving weight loss and maintaining a healthier weight in adults from minority ethnic family backgrounds who are living with obesity? [2023]

For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on when to refer adults for bariatric surgery.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review C: referral for bariatric surgery.

3 Measurements for assessing health risks in adults

What are the most accurate and suitable measurements and boundary values to assess the health risks associated with overweight, obesity and central adiposity in adults of different ethnicities, particularly those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic family backgrounds? [2022]

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on classifying overweight, obesity and central adiposity in adults.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review A: accuracy of anthropometric measures in assessing health risks associated with overweight and obesity in adults.

4 Measurements for assessing health risks in children and young people

What are the most accurate and suitable measurements and boundary values to assess the health risk associated with overweight, obesity and central adiposity in children and young people of different ethnicities, particularly those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic family backgrounds? [2022]

Other recommendations for research

See the update information section for more details.

5 Follow-up care after bariatric surgery

Do postoperative lifestyle intervention programmes (exercise, behavioural or dietary) improve weight loss and weight-loss maintenance following bariatric surgery? [2014]

6 Long-term outcomes of bariatric surgery in people with type 2 diabetes

What is the long-term effect of bariatric surgery on diabetes-related complications and quality of life in people with type 2 diabetes compared with optimal medical treatment? [2014]

7 Bariatric surgery in children and young people

What are the long-term outcomes of bariatric surgery in children and young people living with obesity? [2014]

8 Obesity management for people with a condition associated with an increased risk of obesity

What is the best way to deliver obesity management interventions to people with particular conditions associated with an increased risk of obesity (such as people with a physical disability that limits mobility, a learning disability or enduring mental health difficulties)? [2014]

9 Long-term effect of very-low-calorie diets on people with a BMI of 40 kg/m2 or more

What are the long-term effects of using very-low-calorie diets versus low-calorie diets on weight and quality of life in patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 kg/m2 or more, including the impact on weight cycling? [2014]

10 Comparative risks for different generations of immigrants

Is the risk of ill health the same for first-, second- and third-generation immigrants from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups at the same BMI and waist-to-height ratio thresholds? [2013]

11 Single cut-off points

What are the risks and benefits of developing single-figure cut-off points on BMI and waist-to-height ratio for Black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups to help prevent diabetes and other conditions? [2013]

12 Awareness of risk among Black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups

Are Black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups aware that they are at the same risk of type 2 diabetes and mortality at a lower BMI, compared with the white population? [2013]

13 Practitioners and providers' awareness of risk in Black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups

Are clinicians, practitioners and weight management service providers aware that Black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups are at the same risk of type 2 diabetes and mortality at a lower BMI compared with the white population. If so, do they intervene at lower BMI and waist-to-height ratio thresholds? [2013]

14 Lifestyle interventions for Black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups

How effective and cost effective are lifestyle interventions for people from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups at different BMI and waist-to-height ratio thresholds, compared with the general population? [2013]

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)