The British Dietetic Association (BDA) has welcomed news that Public Health Wales, supported by Life Sciences Hub Wales, has been awarded £8 million in grant funding from Innovate UK to develop innovative weight management services across Wales.
Overweight and obesity remain major public health challenges in Wales, with research suggesting that as many as 62% of adults fall into these two categories.
The high prevalence significantly impacts patients' quality of life, elevates the risk of long-term health complications, and places severe strain on already stretched NHS services.
The BDA emphasised that targeted funding initiatives like this grant are essential to reducing preventable health conditions and tackling health inequalities.
The association also praised dietitians across the country whose work was instrumental in supporting the successful grant application.
Liz Stockley, CEO of the British Dietetic Association, said "Dietitians play a central role in effective weight management, ensuring through their expertise that patients can use an evidence-based nutrition approach to get to and remain at a healthy weight.
"The profession looks forward to bringing that experience and knowledge to this programme to ensure weight management services continue to innovate to deliver more effectively for the Welsh public."
Last year, the Welsh government announced that the weight-loss drug tirzepatide (Mounjaro) will be made available to patients needing time-sensitive surgery or organ transplants.
It will also be available to women seeking fertility treatment, and people with conditions such as severe asthma, severe obstructive sleep apnoea, or cancer where weight loss would improve treatment outcomes.
