title: The Weight Management Code of Practice of Australia as a framework for the commercial weight management sector.
abstract: The Weight Management Code of Practice Australia provides a framework for the diversity of players in the weight management industry. In the current worldwide epidemic of overweight and obesity, the potential for the industry to 'do the right thing', comply with the Weight Management Code of Practice Australia, and assist people with long-term weight loss, is far reaching. The Weight Management Code of Practice in Australia is managed by the Weight Management Council Australia Limited. There are many players in the weight management industry, not all will be eligible for membership of Council but there are many who could be eligible. Ideally, all centres, programs and professionals in the industry should have in place business practices and regimens that comply with the Code. The more members of this industry who are willing to modify their business practices and regimens to comply with the Code, the more accountable the industry will be and the better the products and services will be for consumers. The Code has the potential to be implemented in other countries. The Australian Weight Management Code of Practice can be a model for the rest of the world to establish standards by which this huge industry can be governed.
authors.affiliation: ruthrid@surf.net.au
authors.forename: Sylvia Ruth
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Riddell
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000592:standards; D006296:Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*