Doctors are being urged to avoid using the term ‘obese’ when talking to patients about their weight.

New guidelines from New South Wales Health encourage GPs to discuss weight in a “positive and non-judgemental manner” and use terms like ‘well above a healthy weight’.

The Australian Medical Association is describing the new guidelines as “crazy”.

AMA President Michael Gannon has told Mark Levy, while people might not want to hear it, ‘obese’ is a medical term.

“Practicing medicine is not a popularity contest.

“You have to give uncomfortable news to patients, you have to come up with treatment or management plans they’re not necessarily happy about and this directive flies in the face of common sense.”

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