Obesity Strategy Welcome, But Overdue, Says King's Fund, UK

Main Category: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Article Date: 24 Jan 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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Commenting on yesterday's publication of Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives, the government's cross-departmental strategy for tackling obesity, King's Fund Acting Director of Policy, Anna Dixon said:

'This concerted effort to tackle obesity is a welcome, if overdue, measure.

'The rising level of obesity is a major threat to public health and potentially a huge additional cost to the health service. As our report* showed last year, if we do not make significant strides on tackling unhealthy lifestyles, especially with regard to obesity, then we will have to spend substantially more on the NHS than would otherwise be the case - so much so that it could threaten the long-term viability of the service.

'While individuals' actions greatly affect their own health, it is important that the government has acknowledged that people need help and support in making decisions about diet and exercise. A co-ordinated effort is required where national and local government, as well as the NHS, employers and the food and drink industry work together to create healthier environments where healthier choices are easier to make.

'It is encouraging that the strategy commits the government to pursue evidence-based policies in this area. Health programmes that rely on financial incentives as a lever to promote healthier behaviour are attractive as they are simple and easy to implement. But so far they have been most effective where the tasks are simple and time limited. They are less effective where the behaviour change required is complex, as is the case with obesity. Programmes to assist people to change their unhealthy behaviours must support long-term maintenance of weight loss, not just short-term successes.

'The targets expressed in this strategy are hugely ambitious, especially as the existing target on obesity is set to be missed. To reverse the current increases in the numbers of overweight adults and children will take sustained effort from all parties mentioned in this strategy.'

Notes:

1. * Our Future Health Secured? A review of NHS funding and performance, published by the King's Fund in 2007, looked at where NHS money has been spent, what it has achieved, whether government policy has promoted effective use of the resources, and what needs to happen next. It addresses the failure to meet obesity targets on page 175.

2. In December 2007 the King's Fund launched a programme on public health called Kicking Bad Habits. Details about that programme, including a paper discussing the effectiveness of financial incentives for promoting healthier behaviours, can be found on our Kicking Bad Habits page.

3. The King's Fund is an independent charitable foundation working for better health, especially in London. We carry out research, policy analysis and development activities, working on our own, in partnerships, and through funding. We are a major resource to people working in health and social care, offering leadership development programmes; seminars and workshops; publications; information and library services; and conference and meeting facilities.

King's Fund