Who can a weight Management practioner work with?
Weight management plans can be delivered to the general population who are in low or moderate-risk groups. This can include:
- Most age categories from 13 years and up
- those aged 50 years and over
- adolescents (13 years and over)
- active or inactive
- people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds
Services can be delivered to people with higher risk where medical clearance/consent is gained and where guidance is provided. See below for the conditions and medications that require this.
Scope of practice and codes of conduct
Weight management practitioners can support a range of different people to lose weight. However, there are some circumstances or conditions that require additional care, medical clearances, or are not within the scope of practice for a weight management practitioner.
Weight management practitioners are qualified professionals who commit to abide by codes of conduct. Abiding by these codes and standards supports the upholding of industry standards. This includes abiding by laws, regulations, and ethical standards.
weight management practitioner
Scope of Practice
The Weight Management Practitioner Scope of Practice is a set of guidelines that outline the role of a weight management practitioner and how they may work. It also outlines who they are allowed to work with and who they are not. The document also includes a code of conduct. The goal of the scope of practices is to set standards, including ethical standards, for the provision of weight management services that a practitioner commits to abide by.
As part of the scope of practice, weight management practitioners undertake health screening. Where a client has a condition of concern (contraindicated), a weight management practitioner seeks guidance and clearance for their client. This is in order to:
- minimise the chances of the weight management program or product exacerbating a pre-existing ailment or medical circumstance;
- gain professional medical input, where applicable, to enhance the chances of the weight management program or product benefiting a pre-existing ailment or medical circumstance.
Ethics, Inclusivity and anti-discrimination
The code of conduct contained within the scope of practice requires a weight management practitioner perform their role fairly, honestly, and openly with consideration of duty of care and abiding by relevant laws.
Weight Management Practitioners must not breach any law or regulation pertaining to discrimination or equal opportunity.
They must also adhere to all relevant ethics, legislative or statutory requirements and regulations, including (but not limited to):
- Jurisdictional OH&S legislation
- Civil Liability Law
- Privacy Law
- Client Law
- Anti-discrimination Law
- Criminal
- Other relevant setting-specific policies or regulations
This supports efforts for inclusivity and anti-discrimination.
Additionally, we acknowledge that no two people are the same and providing an inclusive, non-judgmental environment will support the values and goals of each client.
service standards
The scope of practice also outlines measures to ensure good practice in customer service. This includes keeping accurate records (securely), providing quality care, outlining complaint processes, providing appropriate contracts, and accurate advertising.
It is also important that each client receive a consistent standard of care. Workplace guidelines support the adherence to standards that support trust in the service being provided.
Conditions that require referral
- Pregnancy
- Coeliac disease and malabsorption diseases
- Adolescent diabetes
- Medications that contain: Mono-amine oxidase inhibitors, Lithium, Anticoagulants
- Eating disorder or a history of an eating disorder
- Obese or overweight children (until they have completed puberty)
- Cancer
- Diabetes insulin dependent
- Epilepsy
- Gall bladder disorder or Stones
- Liver or kidney disease
- Major surgery- three months post operatively
- Breastfeeding
- Gout
- Gastro intestinal disease
- Medications-eg. steroids
- Thyroid disease
- Chest pain (undiagnosed) or severe shortness of breath
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Heart disease/heart attack/coronary bypass surgery
- Food allergies or sensitivities
- Concurrent medically prescribed diet for health problems
- Physical limitations that may reduce exercising capacity
- Arthritis on medication
- Controlled depression
- Type II Diabetes only where insulin is not part of the therapy
- High blood pressure or high blood cholesterol.
Example conditions and referral options
reason for referral and risk of non-referral
Referral is required to understand if it is safe for the person to undergo a weight management plan, and to understand what alterations should be made to any program. The risks of non-referral can result in harm and potentially death if a person’s condition is exacerbated by the weight management program.
eating disorder or history of an eating disorder
Eating disorders, including anorexia, orthorexia, and binge eating, affect the body physically and mentally. Special focus should be on the psychological impacts of a program and avoiding the potential for disordered eating.
referral recommendations
- Counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist
- General Practitioner
Heart disease/heart attack/coronary bypass surgery
It must first be confirmed if it is safe for the person to undertake a weight management program due to the risks to the heart. Heart disease is more common in obese and overweight people, and weight loss is recommended, but must be done with care. Adjustments to the exercise portion of the program are likely, and guidance should be gained by the client’s cardiologist and/or general practitioner.
referral recommendations
- General Practitioner
Coeliac disease and malabsorption diseases
Coeliac disease is an immune disorder where the body attacks itself due to the presence of gluten. Malabsorption is an issue in the disease, and special care needs to be taken in regard to the diet to avoid gluten and ensure good nutrition.
referral recommendations
- Nutritionist or dietician
- General Practitioner
Industry professions and roles
Sometimes it may be indicated to refer a client to an appropriate medical professional. The reasons vary but may include having:
- medical condition that needs a medical clearance in order for a weight management consultant to provide appropriate care and service.
- a condition that arises during care that has the potential to worsen through weight management care. eg. injuries, psychological, symptoms.
- a condition that requires guidance from a professional.
Industry professionals for referral include general practitioners, nurse practitioners, osteopaths, aboriginal health specialists, credentialed diabetes educators, remedial massage therapists, chiropractors, nutritionists, occupational therapists
Counsellors and psychologists
These professionals specialise in the psychological and emotional health of their clients. They can provide clearance and additional guidance where the client has a condition that requires additional care. eg depression. They can support a client with lifestyle changes and goals and address psychological barriers in more depth.
https://theaca.net.au/home
conditions that may be helped
- eating disorders
- depression
- post-traumatic stress
- mental health conditions and disorders
Physiotherapist
Physiotherapists specialise in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of conditions of human movement. They are also concerned with the prevention of injury. Referral may be advised when a patient has current or past injuries. They can advise on an exercise program, including recommended intensity and type of exercise, and confirm if the client can undertake exercise.
https://www.physiotherapyboard.gov.au/</small
conditions that may be helped
- joint pain
- arthritis
- past injury
- current injury
- other conditions of movement such as hypermobility
dietitian
Dietitians use their knowledge of human nutrition to support their clients nutritional goals. This can include managing their medical conditions, which may require nutritional adjustment such as diabetes and coeliac disease, getting additional support to manage goals such as weight loss, or to get expert advice to support pregnancy, breastfeeding or disease prevention.
https://dietitiansaustralia.org.au/
conditions that may be helped
- allergies
- coeliac disease and malabsorption
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
- heart disease
- gastrointestinal issues