A new report on obesity in the UK argues that action needs to be taken at every possible level - national, local, community and as individuals, together with an understanding of the social and cultural factors that are behind the progressive increase in overweight and obesity.
Reducing and preventing obesity - everything must change is produced jointly by the Royal College of Physicians, the Faculty of Public Health, and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
The UK has the highest rates of overweight and obesity in the EU and if current trends continue, conservative estimates are that at least one-third of adults, one fifth of boys and one-third of girls will be obese by 2020. Being overweight restricts body activity, damages health and shortens life; and it harms self-esteem and social life. Heart disease, stroke, joint problems and the commonest form of diabetes (Type 2) are direct effects of obesity and overweight.
Recommendations include:
A cross-governmental task force should be established at Cabinet level to develop national strategies for tackling the threat from overweight and obesity, and to oversee the implementation of these strategies.
Government should mount a sustained public education campaign to improve people’s understanding of the benefits of healthy eating and active living, and to motivate people to eat a healthier diet and adopt a more active lifestyle.
New standards in nutritional content, food labelling, and food marketing and promotion should be agreed jointly by the food industry and the Food Standards Agency. Incentives to encourage the production, promotion and sale of healthier foods should be introduced.
Population-wide initiatives should be implemented at local level to tackle obesity. Public services should take the lead by promoting healthy eating and increased physical activity in public places, such as schools and hospitals.
The prevention and management of overweight and obesity should be included in all NHS plans, policies and clinical care strategies. Appropriate training programmes for doctors, nurses and other health professionals should be established.
There should be further funded research to improve understanding of the societal and cultural factors behind the epidemic of overweight and obesity, and the development and implementation of effective prevention and treatments.
