Abstract:
This paper summarises the treatment algorithms and key messages from the "Clinical guidelines for weight management in New Zealand adults, children and young people" prepared for the Ministry of Health. The guidelines aim to provide support to weight management providers in primary care and the community. As a ministerial advisory committee has recommended that the consent to distribute the weight-loss drug sibutramine in New Zealand is revoked after its own review confirmed the risks outweigh the benefits of using the prescription medicine, this summary paper has been updated to exclude sibutramine from the algorithm and key messages. The full guidelines and methods can be downloaded from the Ministry website: http://www.moh.govt.nz.