Please find below some specialist support, services and resources to help you in your weight loss journey.
We currently offer different programmes to people who are living with a higher weight depending upon several factors.
Tier 2 programmes are suitable for people with less complex health needs and of a lower body weight and body mass index (BMI)
Tier 3 programmes are available for people of a higher body weight and body mass index (BMI) and with more complex health needs.
Tier 2 Programmes
To be eligible for our Tier 2 Programmes
People must:
- Be aged 18 or over
- Have a BMI ≥ 25 – 37.9 kg/m2 (or BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2 – 37.9 kg/m2 for Black African, Black Caribbean or Asian Groups)
The programme is not suitable for people who are:
- Experiencing unstable or severe mental illness e.g. Severe depression/Bipolar/Schizophrenia/other psychiatric disorder which is not controlled by or responding to medication or treatment
- Pregnant
- Currently taking Clinical Obesity Medication (excluding Orlistat or those used for glycaemic control)
- Experiencing ongoing alcohol and drug misuse i.e. not receiving treatment or have been in rehabilitation for <3 months
- Actively or recently diagnosed with an eating disorder e.g. Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa or active purging behaviours (laxative use or induced vomiting in the absence of a diagnosed eating disorder)
- Experiencing uncontrolled hypothyroidism i.e. not treated or responding to treatment
- Experiencing untreated Cushing’s syndrome
Counterweight Core and Physical Activity Programme
NHS Grampian have partnered with local leisure providers who are trained to deliver the NHS Scotland approved Counterweight Core programme.
Healthy Helpings Online with Dietetic Group Support
We deliver an online programme supported by one of the community dietetic team for those people who do not wish to undertake it by themselves.
Tier 3 Adult Weight Management Programmes
To be eligible for this programme
People must:
- Be aged 18 or over
- Have a BMI ≥38-45kg/m2 (≥35-45kg/m2 for Black African, Black Caribbean or Asian Groups)
AND have
1 or more of following weight related comorbidities –
- Pre – existing cardiovascular disease (Cardiovascular disease (CVD), Coronary heart disease (CHD), Stroke, Transient ischaemic attack (TIA), Peripheral arterial disease, Aortic disease, Angina, Heart attack, Heart failure, Aortic aneurysm)
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Prediabetes
- Previous history of Gestational Diabetes
The programme is not suitable for people who are:
- Experiencing unstable or severe mental illness e.g. Severe depression/Bipolar/Schizophrenia/other psychiatric disorder which is not controlled by or responding to medication or treatment
- Pregnant
- Currently taking Clinical Obesity Medication (excluding Orlistat or those used for glycaemic control)
- Hypertensive (have high blood pressure) in absence of above conditions
- Experiencing ongoing alcohol and drug misuse i.e. not receiving treatment or have been in rehabilitation for <3 months
- Actively or recently diagnosed with an eating disorder e.g. Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa or active purging behaviours (laxative use or induced vomiting in the absence of a diagnosed eating disorder)
- Experiencing uncontrolled hypothyroidism i.e. not treated or responding to treatment
- Experiencing untreated Cushing’s syndrome
A group based programme to support people with more complex needs
To be eligible for this programme
People must:
- Be aged 18-75 years
- Have a BMI >27kg/m2 (or BMI >25 kg/m2 for Black African, Black Caribbean or Asian Groups)
- Have been diagnosis with Type 2 diabetes within the past 6 years
The programme is not suitable for those with:
- Unstable or severe mental illness e.g. Severe depression/Bipolar/Schizophrenia/other psychiatric disorder which is not controlled by or responding to medication or treatment
- MI/Stroke within previous 3 months
- Severe or unstable Heart Failure
- Porphyria
- Pregnant until 4 months post-partum or currently breast feeding
- Ongoing alcohol and drug misuse that would significantly impair ability to engage with a period of structured weight management intervention
- Active or recently diagnosed eating disorder or presenting with active purging behaviours in the absence of a diagnosed eating disorder
- eGFR <30 mls/min/ 1.73 within the last 3 months
Type 2 Diabetes Remission Service (Counterweight Plus Remission)
A group based programme to help people with type 2 diabetes (who meet the criteria) to achieve remission.
Other Resources
If you have been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, Prediabetes or Type 2 Diabetes, please visit for specialist diabetes services and support
