Overview

Maintaining a healthy weight can help to improve your psoriasis symptoms. Excess weight is linked with having more severe psoriasis. Managing your weight can also reduce the risk of diseases linked with psoriasis, such as arthritis, heart disease, and stroke.

Maintaining a healthy weight helps your medicines to work more effectively, as well as improving your mood and quality of life.

Ideal weight for adults

In the UK, more than 6 out of 10 (over 60%) adults are overweight or obese, and about 4 in 10 (40%) people with severe psoriasis are obese.

We will measure your BMI and waist circumference at your clinic visit, and support you to achieve a healthy weight.

Body mass index (BMI)

Body mass index (BMI) is a way to check your weight and health.

• A BMI of 18.5 or below is considered underweight.
• A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered an ideal weight.
• A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight.
• A BMI of 30 or above is considered obese.

You can check your BMI using the NHS BMI calculator.

Waist measurements

An increased risk of health problems is linked with:

• a waist circumference of more than 80cm (32 inches) for women
• a waist circumference of more than 94cm (37 inches) for men

Achieving a healthy weight

Eat a healthy diet

Try to make changes to your eating patterns. You could keep a diary of your eating and drinking for 2 weeks, and then review what you can change. For example, you might find that you’re eating a lot of fatty or sugary snacks, or your portions are always large.

A healthy diet should consist of:

• having breakfast
• eating 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day
• limiting sugary foods
• limiting high-fat foods
• limiting alcoholic drinks

Try to eat slowly, and think about your eating carefully. Try to not eat as a way to manage your emotions, or because food is available. You can improve your chances of weight loss by not having high-calorie foods in your home, and by reducing time spent in places where unhealthy foods are easily available.

If you need help, ask your doctor to refer you to a dietitian. The British Dietetic Association has more information about eating well.

Do more physical activity

Try to do at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise 5 or more days a week. This will help you to maintain your health. You can also try nearer to 1 hour a day of exercise to help control your weight.

Try to fit physical activity into everyday activity, such as:

• if you’re walking, walk a little faster
• cycling instead of getting a bus
• climbing stairs instead of getting the lift

The NHS has more information on activity guidelines for adults.

Set yourself goals

To help you lose weight, you could set yourself goals related to your diet, physical activity, and how much weight you want to lose. Weigh yourself regularly to help you monitor changes and stay focused.

You could also encourage friends and family to lose weight with you, as this support could help with your weight loss.

Go to support groups

You can join support groups such as Weight Watchers^® or Slimming World^®. They can help to support you with reaching a healthy weight.

The NHS Better Health website has more information about how to lose weight, including weight-loss programmes and support groups, as well as apps and plans.

Support from your psoriasis team

Your psoriasis specialist team can support you to maintain a healthy weight.

If you would rather not discuss your weight during clinic visits, please let us know. This will not affect the rest of your care and we would be happy to discuss weight management strategies with you again at any future visit.

Measuring your BMI

We measure your BMI and waist circumference at each visit, and will discuss with you whether you are at your ideal, healthy weight.

If you are above your target weight, we will encourage you to change your diet, increase physical activity and join self-help groups.

Clinical psychologist support

Our clinical psychologist can help you to learn new behaviours which have been shown to help with weight control. Please ask your dermatologist if you would like to be referred for this support.

Referral to a weight management specialist

We might refer you to a weight management specialist if you have not reached your target weight through good diet and exercise. We might also refer you if your psoriasis or other health problems limit the amount of physical activity you can do.

A weight management specialist can prescribe medicines or surgical treatments to help you lose weight.

Weight loss medicines

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro^®), semaglutide (Wegovy^®) and liraglutide (Saxenda^®) are weight loss medicines that are given as injections. They are a type of medicine called GLP-1 receptor agonists.

They help reduce your appetite by making you feel full, and slowing down the time it takes for your stomach to empty.

Weight loss medicines can only be prescribed by a healthcare professional, and should never be bought online, or without a proper consultation. They should only be used alongside programmes that support you to lose weight, and live more healthily by making changes to your diet and physical activity.

Read more about the strict criteria to receive these medicines on the NHS. 

These medicines are safe to take alongside your psoriasis medicines, but you should call your clinical nurse specialist team so that we can update our records. Please leave a message on 020 7188 7847 or email [email protected]