Editorial policy

Our editorial policy explains how texts on Overgewicht Nederland are created: which sources take priority, how we date figures, how often we check the waiting times, who reviews the medical content and how we correct mistakes. This lets you judge for yourself how reliable what you read here is.

In brief

Official guidelines and figures come first: NHG, Richtlijnendatabase, Zorginstituut, CBS, RIVM and Nivel.
Every figure gets a source and a reference date. We check waiting times every month on ZorgkaartNederland.
A medical editor reviews all medical texts. The partner has no say.
We use AI as an aid when writing. People check everything before it goes online.

Which sources take priority

Not every source is equally strong. That is why we work with a fixed order. If two sources contradict each other, the editorial team chooses the source that ranks higher. We only include a source once we have opened and read it ourselves. We never copy anything from another website without checking the original source.

Order of sources used by the Overgewicht Nederland editorial team
Rank	Type of source	Examples
1	Guidelines and standards	NHG-Standaard Obesitas (October 2025), guidelines from medical specialists in the Richtlijnendatabase
2	Government and healthcare authorities	Zorginstituut Nederland (basic package), NZa, IGJ, Rijksoverheid
3	Official figures	CBS/RIVM Gezondheidsmonitor, Nivel Zorgregistraties
4	Public healthcare data	ZorgkaartNederland (waiting times), websites of the centres themselves
5	Professional and patient organisations, trade press	Only as a supplement, never as the sole source for a medical claim

Reference dates for every figure

Figures change. A percentage from three years ago may be different now. That is why we add the source and the date to every number, amount and percentage. Sometimes that is the year of the study, such as "CBS/RIVM Gezondheidsmonitor 2024" for the figures on obesity by region. Sometimes it is the day we looked at the source, such as "ZorgkaartNederland, accessed 25-09-2026". If we have doubts about a figure, we leave it out. We update amounts such as the compulsory excess (eigen risico) (€385 in 2026) as soon as the new year begins.

Monthly check of waiting times

The waiting time table for weight loss surgery is one of the most visited parts of the site. That is why we check it every month following fixed steps.

For each centre, we look up the waiting time on ZorgkaartNederland and note the date.
If there is a new measurement, we update the number and the reference date.
If there is no current measurement, we move the centre to the "no measurement" list instead of leaving an old number in place.
Reports from GPs or practice nurses (POH) via the waiting time form are first checked with the centre or on ZorgkaartNederland.

An example. Suppose a centre reports a waiting time of 120 days in September and 90 days in October. We then change the number to 90 and add the new reference date. The waiting time has then become 120 − 90 = 30 days shorter. If a practice nurse (POH) sends us a lower number without a source, we wait until we can confirm it ourselves.

Medical review

Publisher Gijs Bodenstaff is not a doctor. That is why a medical editor reads all medical texts before they go online, and again after a major change, such as a new guideline. The editor checks for accuracy, completeness and tone. If something does not match the guideline, the text does not go online.

There is no permanent medical editor (yet). The medical information on this site is based on guidelines and official sources, which are listed on every page. Spotted an error? Let us know via the contact page.

You can read who makes the site and who the partner is on the page about this site and our partner.

Personal stories

Stories from people who went through it themselves help others. But they are also personal. That is why we only publish a personal story about living with obesity with the written consent of the person themselves. They read the text beforehand and can always have it changed or removed. We do not make up stories, names or quotes. An experience is never a promise: what works for one person does not automatically work for another.

No advertising for prescription medicines

In the Netherlands, advertising prescription medicines to the public is prohibited (IGJ, 2024). This also applies to weight loss medication. On the page about weight loss medication according to the NHG-Standaard, we therefore only explain when the guideline considers medication and when you stop. We do not promote brands, do not compare prices of providers and do not link to online shops or online prescribers.

How we use AI

We are open about it: texts on this site are drafted with the help of AI. AI helps with a first version, with organising sources and with simplifying difficult sentences. People then check everything. The publisher checks every figure against the source and the medical editor reviews the medical content. AI does not choose sources without us opening them, and a text never goes online unread.

Arrangements with the partner

The site is made possible in part by WeightWorks Clinics in Amersfoort (partner of this site). The partner has no say over the medical content and does not read texts beforehand for approval. We show all treatments and all centres. Nothing is paid for referrals. We only mention the partner where this is necessary for transparency, and then always with the note "(partner of this site)".

Corrections

If you spot a mistake, report it via the page contact and reporting mistakes. Name the page, what you think is wrong and, if possible, a source. We will look into it within a week. Small mistakes, such as a typo, we correct without notice. For a mistake in the content, we correct the text, add the new date to the figure and note the correction at the bottom of the page. If a report turns out to be incorrect, we will let you know why.

You can see how we handle prices and comparisons in the comparison of four weight loss providers and in our disclaimer.

Frequently asked questions about the editorial policy

Which source wins when two sources contradict each other?

The source that ranks higher in our order wins. Guidelines such as the NHG-Standaard Obesitas come first, then government and healthcare authorities, then official figures. We only use trade press and websites as a supplement. That is also how it is set out in the overview of obesity treatments.

Why is there a date next to every figure?

Because figures change and you need to be able to see how old a number is. For research we give the year; for websites, the day we looked. So for the percentage of people with obesity, for example, you can see that it comes from the Gezondheidsmonitor 2024. Read more on what overweight and obesity are.

Does the editorial team publish adverts or sponsored articles?

No, we do not publish adverts or paid articles. The site is made possible in part by one partner, and this is stated openly everywhere. That partner does not buy texts or space on the site. You can read how that arrangement works on the page about this site.

When does the medical editor check a page again?

With every major change to the content, for example when a guideline is revised or criteria change. Small language edits do not go back to the editor. If you are unsure whether a page is still up to date, ask us: we will tell you when the editor last looked at it.

Can I have my own experience published?

Yes, you can, but only with your written consent. You read the text beforehand and can always ask later for it to be changed or removed. We only use your name if you want us to. Get in touch via the page contact the editorial team if you would like to share your story.

Can I reuse texts from this site?

You may quote short passages with a clear source reference and a link to the page. Copying or adapting entire pages is not allowed. You may print the downloads free of charge and hand them out in healthcare settings, as long as you do not modify them or use them commercially. See the terms and conditions for use and downloads.

Does AI write the texts on this site?

AI helps with drafting, but people check everything. The publisher checks every figure against the original source and the medical editor reviews the medical content. A text never goes online unread. We mention this because you have a right to know how the information is produced.

Does the partner read texts before they go online?

No, WeightWorks Clinics (partner of this site) does not read texts beforehand and has no say over the medical content. The publisher and the medical editor decide. All centres are listed in the waiting times of all bariatric centres, including centres that are not partners.