Mr David Kendrick, Vita Clinic’s National Bariatric Psychologist explained at the West Midlands National Obesity Forum’s Regional meeting on 20th April 2009 how crucial it was that patients suffering from morbid obesity had access to expert psychologist input to ‘unlock’ why they lose control of their eating and end up obese as a result.

He explained that patients who access weight loss programmes, take anti-obesity drugs and even undergo Bariatric Surgery are unlikely to maintain their weight loss in the long term. This is supported by a growing amount of published research that shows clearly that patients must explore the root causes behind their eating behaviours. Mr Kendrick explained that in his 13 year experience of working with morbidly obese patients, unless they confronted the reasons and ‘personal demons’ behind their eating patterns and behaviours, they would never conquer their obesity and excessive eating, which he compared to other addictions such as alcohol and smoking.

Mr Kendrick explained that in some NHS Bariatric units, up to a quarter of surgery patients were presenting after 2-3 years with weight gain because they originally had not been psychologically assessed or had undergone psychological support to confront their eating behaviours. He explained that there was a national shortage of experienced Bariatric Psychologists.

He announced that Vita Clinics are planning to establish a university-accredited Psycho-behavioural training course for healthcare professionals to address this shortage and improve access to psychological assessment and support for morbidly obese patients.

Vita Clinics is a national weight management specialist that provides a range of weight management programmes (obesity surgery and non-surgical weight management programmes). The role of a Bariatric Psychologist is key to these treatments. To find out more, contact Vita Clinics on 0800 849 8450 and speak to one of our clinical specialists.