All those who visit a GP could be asked to step on the scales in an effort to crack down on obesity, if a leading health group has its way.
Obesity Australia has announced plans to develop a set of guidelines for general practitioners, to help doctors address the delicate issue of weight with their patients.
Obesity Australia's John Funder said GPs should be able to engage patients about weight, regardless of whether they've visited the doctor "because they've got a cold or a broken toe".
Speaking ahead of an obesity summit in Canberra on Thursday, Mr Funder said the group would work with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners to develop the guidelines and an information kit for GPs.
The anti-obesity proposal has been influenced by a similar partnership involving the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology and the US Obesity Society.
Central to the GP plan is having obesity classified as a disease, because "if it's not a disease, it's an intrusion", Professor Funder said.
"If we can get it defined as a disease, then have GPs weigh people every time they come in, that's an opening into `It might be sensible to lose a bit of weight'."
