Changing the mindset: an inter-disciplinary approach to management of the bariatric patient.

Obesity is a major health issue throughout the world. Modern nomenclature has replaced the word obesity with bariatric-related terminology. A bariatric person is defined as one who has health limitations due to their physical size, lack of mobility and environmental access. Obese people are often characterised by society as being lazy and unattractive, and this perception is prevalent among healthcare professionals also. This paper describes an innovative approach to obesity management in a large Australian health district in Queensland.