Innovation in weight management: Obesity

Obesity is a condition where a person carries too much body fat, often measured using Body Mass Index (BMI).

A BMI of 30 or above usually indicates obesity, although different ethnic groups may have lower thresholds. It’s a common issue in the UK, affecting about 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 5 children aged 10 to 11 years.

This measurement helps to assess risk, as obesity can be linked to serious health conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, some cancers, and breathing or joint problems.

The main cause of obesity is consuming more calories than the body needs, often alongside low physical activity. Other factors like genetics, certain health conditions, medications, and environmental influences (e.g. access to healthy food or places to exercise) can also play a role. Emotional and mental health issues, such as depression or low self-esteem, may both contribute to and result from obesity.

NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB and NHS Sussex ICB are preparing to bid for grant funding under the Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme (OPIP): Strand 3–Combined Access and Management for Healthy Ageing and Tackling Obesity, a national innovation competition jointly funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and Eli Lilly and Company Limited, with up to £85 million available across the UK. A single ICB cannot be awarded any more than £8 million in total.

The OPIP Strand 3 competition seeks to fund innovative, community and primary care-based weight management pathways that are:

• Clinically appropriate and resource-efficient
• Capable of recruiting significant patient numbers
• Aligned with NICE guidelines and national standards
• Designed to be sustainable beyond the grant period

Successful projects must demonstrate readiness to deliver services by August 2026, with clear governance, data reporting, and transition plans for long-term commissioning.  Consequently, if NHS Surrey Heartlands and/ or NHS Sussex are granted funding, we will very soon afterwards launch a joint, or independent procurement processes for service delivery. 

To inform our competition response, we are launching a joint market engagement exercise to explore innovative ideas, technologies, and service models that could inform our competition entries and shape future service opportunities in obesity prevention and management in our ICBs. Our competition submission areas of innovation focus are intended to be:

1. Pathways for 13–30 year olds
   • Family-based lifestyle interventions
   • Age-appropriate, multidisciplinary care models
   • Improved access to obesity support and prevention services
2. Pathways for people with Serious Mental Illness (SMI)
   • Integrated physical and mental health care
   • Support for medication adherence and holistic management