Faculty of Public Health: The solution is not just for individuals to look at their lifestyle
Dr Helen Walters, obesity lead for the Faculty of Public Health, comments on the obesity plan:
“The UK is still in the grip of the obesity epidemic.
“An unhealthy weight has equally important effects on the health of an individual as smoking does: obese adults are far more likely to die earlier of heart disease and cancer.
“The solution is not just for individuals to look at their lifestyle.
“Society as a whole needs to look at how we plan public spaces, market high-calorie foods and drinks, enable cycling and walking and price alcohol.
“We need strategic approaches to tackle obesity and obesogenic environments.
“This should involve the statutory sector, including health, local authorities, planning and education, the voluntary sector and local industries working together to make the necessary long-term changes.”
