LightCARE

​You can only join LightCARE if you have been directly invited to participate by your 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 LightCARE study will compare a new treatment programme with weight loss advice and support already available in your local area.  

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 and can be referred to an appropriate one.

Who can take part?

We are asking adults who are between aged 18-60 years old and with a body mass index (BMI) over 30kg/m² (if you're from a white ethnic group) or 27.5kg/m² (if you're from any other ethnic group), 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. 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: LightCARE_ParticipantInformationSheet.pdf

To take part, or to speak to someone about the study, please call the LightCARE team on 01865 617814 or email: lightcare@phc.ox.ac.uk . ​