Ending the obesity epidemic
HPP partnered with experts to identify opportunities to reverse current obesity trends in the UK
Context
Obesity is a major public health challenge in the UK, affecting one in four adults in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and one in three adults in Scotland. This epidemic has a significant impact on the health system and wider economy, as well as the individuals with the condition and their families.
It is estimated that obesity costs the UK approximately £126 billion each year, including through lost productivity and healthcare costs. On an individual level, people with obesity can have reduced quality of life and lower life expectancy as a result of the conditions associated with it, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and mental health disorders.
Advancing our understanding of obesity, and how it can be best prevented and managed, therefore has the potential to bring significant benefits. Yet access to effective, comprehensive obesity care is hindered by a number of policy and system barriers. Although there is no single solution to this epidemic, a combination of approaches show promise. They will require collaboration across many sectors.
Project resources
What we’ve achieved
Working alongside leading obesity experts, HPP has produced a white paper offering practical recommendations to reduce obesity rates in the UK. This resource serves as a guide for policymakers and healthcare leaders, outlining collaborative efforts needed from all sectors to achieve this goal.
Key partners and stakeholders
We would like to express our gratitude to the experts who contributed their time and insights to this work:
- Adam Bradshaw, Tony Blair Institute
- Ben Howlett, Curia and UKAI
- Professor Alexander Miras, Ulster University
Project funding
This white paper was initiated and funded by Numan. HPP led the research and drafting, with insights from expert contributors; Numan reviewed and commented on iterative drafts. No expert contributors were paid for their time.