Responding to guidance from NICE on the prevention and treatment of obesity in adults and children in England and Wales, Dr Vivienne Nathanson, head of science and ethics at the BMA said:

"We are in the midst of an obesity epidemic and while these guidelines are welcome, they must be properly resourced if they are to have any impact. Obesity has so many different causes that it cannot be tackled by guidelines alone. A joined-up approach is essential. Public health capacity must increase. The government must work with food manufacturers and advertisers to help people improve their diets. People need to be given more opportunities to take regular exercise. What we should aim for is a society where all of us are able to make healthy choices."

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Source:
BMA News, the membership magazine of the British Medical Association