Healthier weight with help from a lifestyle programme
Want to work towards a healthier weight and lifestyle? Discuss with your GP or practice nurse whether a lifestyle programme suits you.
What is a lifestyle programme?
A lifestyle programme will help you lose weight and live healthier if you are overweight. Depending on the programme you participate in, you will receive guidance from a lifestyle coach, dietician, physiotherapist or exercise therapist or a combination of these healthcare providers.
Together, you work for two years to make lasting changes to your lifestyle. These programmes are called Combined lifestyle interventions (GLI). In the first year you learn to live healthier, in the second year you learn how to sustain these changes.
You will receive practical tips and guidance on:
- Healthy eating
- Move more
- Sleep better and relax
- Dealing with stress and other issues that get in the way of a healthy lifestyle
So you work step by step towards a healthier life that suits you - at your pace, with support.
When do you qualify?
Your GP or specialist can assess whether a lifestyle programme makes sense for you. These programmes are reimbursed from the basic insurance. You are eligible in the following situations:
You have a BMI of 25 or higher AND any of these problems:
- increased risk of cardiovascular disease
- increased risk of diabetes
- diabetes
- osteoarthritis
- sleep apnoea
Or, you have a BMI of 30 or higher, and you would like to participate yourself. Your GP or specialist may refer you to a lifestyle coach.
Choice of lifestyle programmes
There are several lifestyle programmes to choose from. All programmes last for 2 years, but they differ in how guidance is offered: online, physical or a combination of both. The number of coaches and type of support can also vary. Some programmes offer additional support through a app, others not.
| Programme | Form | Guidance | Starting opportunities |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLIMMER | Physical | Lifestyle coach, dietician, physiotherapist or exercise therapist | |
| CooL | Physical | Lifestyle coach + group | |
| X-Fitt | Physical | Lifestyle coach, sports coach | Continuous |
| SSiB | Physical | Lifestyle coach, dietician, physiotherapist or exercise therapist and sports coach | Monthly |
| MiGuide | Online | Lifestyle coach + app | Weekly |
| SLIMMER powered by Ancora | Online | Lifestyle coach + app | Monthly |
| Reverse Diabetes2 Plus | Physical | Lifestyle coach, dietician and nurse (use of heavy medication) | Monthly |
| Reverse Diabetes2 Online | Online | Lifestyle coach, dietician and nurse | Monthly |
Talk about it with your GP or practice manager
Referral to (desired) lifestyle programme/coach
Intake interview with lifestyle coach
Following the lifestyle programme
Working together for a healthier lifestyle
Thinking of losing weight with medication?
You may have read or heard about it, for instance on social media or in the news. Drugs to lose weight get a lot of attention. It is often about quick results and the high interest in these drugs.
Well-known anti-obesity drugs include Ozempic, Saxenda and Mysimba*. Each medicine works in a different way. What helps for one may not always work for another. What they do have in common: they are not a solution in themselves. Whether a pill or an injection, drugs only work well when combined with a healthier lifestyle.
Therefore, these drugs are only reimbursed if you also participate in an approved lifestyle programme.
Check Causes Obesity
BMI is a general measure and does not always give the full picture of your health. It can be useful to also investigate what factors contribute to your obesity. Check the website Check Causes of Obesity. There you will find reliable information and questionnaires you can fill in. You can take the results with you to your doctor for specific advice.
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