Tackling Obesity in England - National Audit Office

TACKLING OBESITY IN ENGLANDStudy methodology1.14 Our methodology is set out in detail in Appendix 1. The main features are:n literature review and consultation withrepresentatives of a wide range of interested parties,including voluntary bodies representing obesepeople;nnnadvice from a panel of eminent experts on obesity;a cost-of-illness study undertaken for us by theDepartment of Economics at City University.Appendix 6 contains the detailed methodology forthis study;a survey of all health authorities in the Summer of1999 to examine their role in planning and coordinatinginitiatives to address obesity and promotehealthy lifestyles;n a postal survey of a representative sample of 1,200general practitioners and 1,200 practice nursesin Summer 1999 to establish how overweightand obese patients visiting their general practiceare managed;nnnface-to-face interviews with 20 general practitionersand 16 practice nurses in November and December1999 to learn more about their experiences oftreating obese patients and their perceptions ofthe problem;interviews with policy personnel at the relevantGovernment departments to examine howeffectively departments were working together andwith other agencies to promote healthy lifestyles;andsite visits to examine local initiatives at schools andhospitals and specialist centres.part one10