ADPH highlights the continued need to tackle obesity

On World Obesity Day, the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) is highlighting the importance of creating healthier environments, where people have better access to the things they need to live healthier lives, in tackling obesity. 

Alice Wiseman, ADPH Vice President, who gave evidence to the recent House of Lords Food, Diet and Obesity Committee, said:   

“Obesity is responsible for at least 200,000 cases of cancer annually, is estimated to makes people five times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, puts immense strain on cardiovascular health and is estimated to cost the UK economy around £58bn annually. It also adversely impacts mental health and takes an average of ten years from someone’s life. Currently a quarter of adults are living with obesity and a third of children in their final year of primary school are overweight or living with obesity. Our consumption habits are formed at an early age, so it is vital that we do more to protect children and young people in particular to reduce these alarming statistics. 

“If the Government is serious about achieving its mission to prevent illness and disease instead of just treating it when it comes, the upcoming national food strategy, must bring about change that means that everyone, regardless of where they live or how much money they earn, is able to access healthy food and drink.”  

Ansaf Azhar, Co-Lead for ADPH’s healthy places advisory group and Director of Public Health for Oxford, said: 

“Consumption of unhealthy food and drink is not the result of personal choice. The reality is that people don’t have the freedom to choose. Instead, they are forced by circumstances to buy cheaper, less healthy alternatives, are bombarded by advertising and marketing, and have limited access to active transport, open spaces or affordable leisure options. Only by creating healthier environments where people from all backgrounds and regardless of how much money they have, can access the things they need to maintain a healthy weight, can we hope to address the issues and promote long term system wide initiatives to help people to live healthier lives for longer.”