If doctors present weight loss interventions as an “opportunity” and with a “smiley” tone, patients are more likely to have success, according to a UK study.

The researchers said patients referred to a free weight loss program were also more likely to participate if GPs emphasised the benefits and minimised the effort required.

“When raising the topic of excess weight in clinical visits, presenting weight-loss treatment as a positive opportunity is associated with greater uptake of treatment and greater weight loss,” they wrote in Annals of Internal Medicine.

The University of Oxford team analysed recordings of nearly 250 conversations between GPs and patients who were referred to a 12-week weight loss program.