Supporting people with obesity

Whether you’re a parent, friend, family member, or caregiver, you have an important role to play in your loved ones’ weight management journey. 

Support for people with obesity takes many forms and there are different methods you can use to help encourage long-term changes and healthier habits.

For many people trying to manage weight, the process can be long and difficult. If you can provide support to the people in your life living with obesity, you can help them stick to their resolutions and find the help they need.

If you’re asking questions like "My daughter is living with obesity - what can I do?" Or "My husband is living with obesity - how can I help him?" these tips can help you to help the people in your life living with obesity.

Take a look at these strategies to help you support the people in your life who are living with obesity in the best way possible.
 

The role of a support person can make a big difference in someone’s weight management journey. Strong social support networks are a key factor in staying committed to weight management habits long-term.

If you’re reading up on how to support people with obesity, you’re already on the right path. You’re taking an active interest in their weight management journey and you’re ready to be an ally for someone living with obesity. 

Sometimes, all people need is to hear that they have the support of the people around them. Research has found that for people with obesity, making a social contract - telling family and friends about their weight loss goals’ - can help with cravings. This commitment to the people they care about could help people living with obesity to be determined in their weight management goals.

If you can take an active part in the weight management programme for people with obesity, you could help them to commit to their goals long-term. 
 

Many people living with obesity, as well as the people supporting them, can become fixated on weight loss. To make long-lasting lifestyle changes, positive actions may be more effective than restrictive ones.

If you’re supporting someone in your family with obesity, you can help by making your home a healthier environment. Strategies like making fresh fruit and vegetables available at home and planning and preparing healthy food in advance can help support your loved ones’ weight management goals.

Research has also found that family support for increased physical activity can make behavior changes easier for people with obesity. When one family member becomes more physically active, others might follow and start doing more physical activity themselves.

This can bring about a whole range of positive changes including:

• Spending more time together doing physical activity 
• Improvements in your relationship
• Greater enjoyment of your time together
• Long-lasting healthy habits based on physical activity

By focusing on health and enjoyment rather than just weight loss, you could help to make positive progress in both your relationships and your loved ones’ weight management journey.
 

If you’re looking for methods to help support people with obesity, it can also be useful to set specific targets. Identifying a key target for different lifestyle changes can help give people with obesity something to work towards.

For instance, you might like to try targeting a specific increase in steps per day or setting a goal to eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every day. If you can set specific targets for weight management, you may be able to help support people with obesity more effectively.
 

Taking an active role in someone’s weight loss journey involves providing emotional support too.

Evidence suggests that people who felt they had more support from their support person at the start of a weight management or treatment programme experienced greater improvements in weight, BMI, and waist circumference by the end of their treatment.

Being a supportive, positive force can include:

• Showing greater empathy to people living with obesity
• Helping them with their weight loss motivation
• Offering gentle guidance
• Assisting them in finding their own weight loss solutions

To better support people with obesity, listen to their needs and what they require from you. This can help them to manage stress and improve their self-esteem while also making the weight management process easier. 
 

When you’re supporting people with obesity and trying to help them on their weight management journey, there are some key things to remember. Check out these 3 important tips.  
 

Obesity is a stigmatised disease and people living with obesity face judgement and discrimination in many areas of their lives. If you’re looking for ways to support people with obesity, focus on words of encouragement rather than judgment.

Evidence suggests that supporting people by giving unwanted advice or minimising the problems of the person with obesity can do more harm than good. 81% of participants in a weight loss study reported that what they need is for their significant others to accept them at their current weight, while also gently encouraging their weight management efforts/process.

Some ideas for positive encouragement and support include:

• Offering affirmation and motivation centered on their weight loss efforts e.g. “I know you’ve been trying for a long time but keep sticking at it”
• Sensitively addressing negative weight control behaviours, like encouraging someone to opt for fruit over other unhealthy snacks
• Finding new solutions to weight loss problems, such as suggesting a gentler water aerobics class instead of a high-intensity exercise class

If you can prioritise positive encouragement over judgment, you can help your loved ones be more successful with their weight management goals.

When you’re supporting a person with obesity, it can be really helpful to reinforce their healthy lifestyle changes with your own actions. This might include doing more physical activity and making healthier food choices. 

For many people with obesity, it can feel good to have a support person who joins them on their weight management journey. For instance, you might try to avoid bringing unhealthy snacks into the house to help people with obesity to resist cravings, or encourage them to persevere with exercise and activity goals even when they don’t feel motivated.

To make your loved one’s weight management journey easier, try to reinforce healthy habits by adopting them yourself. They might also benefit your health too!
 

Everyone’s weight management journey is different. Research shows that the most effective social support for people with obesity is one that fits the specific needs of the person.

When you’re supporting someone with obesity, remember that relapse is also common. Around one-third to one-half of lost weight is regained within one year after stopping weight-loss-centred interventions. Try not to feel frustrated or disheartened and remind yourself that a relapse is not a reason to give up. There are many reasons for weight regain that are beyond your control, like genetics, your hormones and metabolism, or how the body regulates feelings of hunger and fullness.

If you feel like the person or people you’re supporting needs more help, you could suggest they visit a healthcare professional specialising in obesity and weight management. An obesity care provider can offer advice, information, and a personalised strategy for sustained weight management.
 

If you’re looking for ways to support people with obesity in your life, try to focus on positive actions and encouragement. You can also support them by referring to trained obesity care providers so that they get the help they need. Everyone’s weight management journey is different but with the support of family, friends, and caregivers, people with obesity can take steps to manage their weight long-term.