The idea that sending someone on a cookery course will fix the obesity epidemic is flawed thinking

Friday, 15 September 2017

• Almost two million overweight patients should be offered free cookery and exercise classes under new guidelines from the health watchdog.
• The NICE recommendation to offer cookery and exercise classes will cost the UK billions.
• Harley Street hypnotherapist criticises the decision as ‘flawed thinking’.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) says everyone over 40 should be checked by GPs and pharmacists to see if they are at risk of Type 2 diabetes, which is linked to obesity. People who are at high risk should be offered a place on an intensive lifestyle change programme.

The plans, such as the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, aim to offer people personalised schemes including education on healthy eating and lifestyle, help to lose weight and bespoke exercise lessons.

However, a Harley Street Hypnotherapist specialising in weight loss has criticised the recommendations calling it ‘flawed thinking’.

"In my experience successfully working with hundreds of obese and overweight clients it’s rarely a lack of knowledge that’s the issue. Most overweight people know exactly what to eat and that they need to exercise but they just aren’t doing it. The idea that sending someone on a cookery course will fix the obesity epidemic is flawed thinking" said Adam Cox, founder of HypnoSlimming

"When most people try to lose weight they are trying to change their behaviour. Often this new behaviour such as a change in diet or exercise is in direct conflict with other things like their beliefs, values and conditioned habits. This often results in failure and a reinforced belief that they are unable to lose weight, a concept known as learned helplessness.”

"We need to make sure that people firstly want to lose weight and then that their mindset is aligned with a realistic goal that will actually support them to achieve the behavioural changes that lead to weight loss. Even the best weight loss strategy is flawed if the individual doesn’t have the motivation or self-belief that they can actually do it."

While Adam Cox was highly critical of the new recommendations he did concede that it was a step in the right direction. “Over recent years we’ve seen increases in prescription medication and surgery to deal with weight loss. The fact that NICE have recommended an alternative approach perhaps means they’ll also consider that emotional eating, sugar addictions and binge eating disorder can’t be dealt with in a cookery class or a gym and that other approaches need to be thought about.”

Adam offers a free suitability test on his site at Free Test

ENDS

Notes to Editors:
Adam Cox is available for broadcast interviews, is available for radio ISDN interviews and can provide comment upon request.
Adam Cox is a fully insured clinical hypnotherapist that qualified with the LCCH, is a member of the BSCH (British Society of Clinical Hypnotherapists) and listed on the GHR (General Hypnotherapist Register). Adam has worked with celebrities and CEO’s and is often featured in the UK media.

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