LightWAY

You can only join Lightway if you have been directly invited to participate by your hospital or gp.
Please only contact us if you have received an invitation.​

There is a whole range of weight loss treatments available on the NHS and in the LightWAY study will compare a new treatment programme with weight loss advice and support already available in your local area, which may include specialised treatment.

What will the study involve?

This study will last for 2 years and you will receive one of two programmes to help you lose weight. One group will try the new intensive weight loss treatment and participants in the other group will be referred to local NHS or community options available in their area for weight loss. You will not have a choice over which treatment you get.

If you are placed in the new weight loss treatment group, you will receive support from a health coach for two years to help you lose weight and keep the weight off. You will be asked to try a total diet replacement diet, which will consist of soups, shakes and meals to replace all foods for 12 weeks and then, with support, to switch to a healthy, sustainable diet.

If you are placed into to the usual care group you will discuss locally available weight loss programmes with your GP. This may include referral to specialised programmes for people with diabetes or cardiovascular disease if that is appropriate.

Who can take part?

We are asking adults aged 18-60 years who have a BMI of 35 kg.m² or more (if you’re from a white ethnic group) or 32.5 kg.m² or more (if you’re from any other ethnic group), AND who have health related conditions thought to be related to being overweight e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea, to take part.

If you are not sure what your BMI is, you can search for the NHS BMI calculator online or click here

What will I have to do?

If you decide to take part we will also ask you to attend 4 appointments over the course of 2 years so that we can take measurements including height, weight, waist measurements from you. These appointments will be at your GP practice or a local clinical facility. At 2 of these appointments, we will also ask you to have a scan called a DEXA scan at a facility close to you, to measure your body composition, including your bone density.

How can I take part?

If you are interested in finding out more, please read the full participant information sheet: download LightWAY participant information

To take part, or to speak to someone about the study, please call the LightWAY team on 01865 617831 or email: lightway@phc.ox.ac.uk.