DEPARTMENT FOR
INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS News Release issued by The
Government News Network on 17 October 2007
The technological
revolution of the 20th century has led to weight gain becoming
inevitable for most people, because our bodies and biological
make-up are out of step with our surroundings, says the latest
report from Foresight, the Government's futures think-tank.
The study found that obesity has many causes and is a much more
passive phenomenon than is often assumed. Our basic biological
instincts combined with our modern environment means that
we're destined to put on weight. The research found that the
problem of obesity will take at least 30 years to reverse.
The 'Tackling Obesities: Future Choices' Foresight
project, sponsored by the Public Health Minister, Dawn Primarolo,
was an in-depth two-year study by almost 250 experts and
scientists to examine the causes of obesity and map future trends
to help Government plan effective policies both now and in the future.
Foresight's diverse evidence shows that only a comprehensive
long term strategy will have an impact on the rising trends of
obesity. Alignment with other policy goals such as climate change,
social inclusion and wellbeing is vital. Preventing obesity
requires major change - in the environment and in behaviour; in
organisations as well as in communities, families and individuals.
Sir David King, the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser
and head of the Foresight Programme, believes a wholesale change
in attitudes towards obesity is required.
"Foresight has for the first time drawn together complex
evidence to show that we must fight the notion that the current
obesity epidemic arises from individual over-indulgence or
laziness alone. Personal responsibility is important, but our
study shows the problem is much more complicated. It is a wake-up
call for the nation, showing that only change across many elements
of our society will help us tackle obesity.
"Stocking up on food was key to survival in prehistoric
times, but now with energy dense, cheap foods, labour-saving
devices, motorised transport and sedentary work, obesity is
rapidly becoming a consequence of modern life."
Welcoming the results, Public Health Minister, Dawn Primarolo said:
"The Department of Health sponsored this report, it is
world-class research of the highest quality and will form an
integral part of our drive to tackle obesity.
"There is no single solution to tackle obesity and it cannot
be tackled by Government action alone. We will only succeed if
the problem is recognised, owned and addressed at every level and
every part of society.
"We have made progress with improved physical activity
levels at school, healthier school food for children, clearer food
labelling and tougher restrictions on advertising foods high in
fat and sugar to children - but we know that we need to go further
and faster.
"With new resources from the CSR we are planning a long-term
drive for action on obesity. There is high-level cross-govt
commitment to addressing the challenges raised in the report, and
we will provide the leadership, vision and sustained commitment
required to help start this cultural and societal shift."
As part of the CSR announcement the Government signalled a new
long-term ambition to tackle obesity across the population as part
of the new Child health PSA to improve the health and wellbeing of
children and young people.
Tackling childhood obesity remains a key cross-Government
priority as part of this wider ambition: Our ambition is to
reverse the rising tide of obesity and overweight in the
population, by enabling everyone to achieve and maintain a healthy
weight. Our initial focus will be on children: By 2020, we aim to
reduce the proportion of overweight and obese children to 2000 levels.
The study reveals:
* There is no one 'magic bullet' solution. Even if a
new appetite suppressing drug was developed, it would not be the
answer because the problem is systemic and requires a range of
different actions to make a difference. Isolated initiatives are futile.
* The Foresight study includes a unique quantitative model to
look at obesity patterns as far ahead as 2050, which suggests that
if current levels continue, by 2050 about 60% of men, 50% of women
and 25% of children in the UK will be obese. The associated
chronic health problems are projected to cost society an
additional £45.5 billion a year and reversing this trend will take
several decades.
* The development of obesity is a much more passive phenomenon
than is often assumed. People need to use active coping
strategies, day-in day-out, to prevent weight gain and most
don't succeed. The majority of UK adults today are
overweight. Healthy behaviours are an inherent challenge in
today's society. Being overweight is becoming normalised.
* There are as yet no concerted strategies or policy models that
adequately address the problem, and the evidence for effective
preventative measures is weak. There are few international
examples of success on which the UK can draw although a growing
number of demonstrator projects offer some promise. There is a
strong case for these approaches to be expanded to one or two
regions or cities in the UK as exemplars.
* Tackling obesity, like tackling climate change, is complex and
will require cross-cutting changes to our society - from
increasing everyday activity through the design of the built
environment and transport systems, to shifting the drivers of the
food chain and consumer purchasing patterns to favour healthier options.
* Policies aimed at different stages in the life course, in
particular early intervention to establish appropriate child
growth, healthy eating and early activity habits should be
considered further.
* 'Tackling Obesities' was a Foresight project,
involving Ministers and officials from the departments of Health;
Culture, Media and Sport and Children, Schools and Families,
alongside food retailers, local government and sports
associations, and other stakeholders who will be responsible for
implementing resulting policy initiatives several of whom have
signed up to taking further action.
* As the project's sponsor, the Department of Health will
now take responsibility for the research, using it to assist in
policy development. A report in 12 months time will outline the
project's progress including action by other stakeholders.
Notes to editors
1. Download the full report at http://www.foresight.gov.uk
(only available from Wed 17th October.
2. Foresight is in the Government Office for Science, within the
Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills. DIUS brings
together the nation's strengths in science, research,
universities and colleges to build a dynamic, knowledge-based
economy. Its primary role is to drive forward delivery of the
Government's long-term vision to make Britain one of the best
places in the world for science, research and innovation and to
raise the level of education and skills at every level in our
economy to give the UK the competitive edge.