Department of Health

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Obesity

Family in the park, child skipping

Obesity is one of the biggest health challenges we face. The Government is committed to taking action to prevent more serious illness and much bigger costs to the health service and the country in years to come.

The Government’s ambition is to be the first major nation 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 is on children: By 2020, we aim to reduce the proportion of overweight and obese children to 2000 levels.

Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: strategy

Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: A Cross-Government strategy for England  was published in January 2008. It was the first step in a sustained programme to combat obesity and support people to maintain a healthy weight. £372 million has been committed over three years to implement this strategy.

Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: progress

In April 2009 we published Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: One Year On, which reported our progress to date and outlined the areas we would be focusing on over the next year. The report set out how the Government will continue the drive to combat obesity by:

  • helping people to make healthier choices;
  • creating an environment that promotes healthy weight;
  • providing quality services that identify, advise, refer and treat those at risk; and
  • strenghtening the delivery system.

Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: Change4Life

Change4Life logo

Change4Life is England’s first ever national social marketing campaign to promote heathly weight.  It aims to prevent people from becoming overweight by encouraging them to eat well, move more and live longer. The campaign began in January 2009 and supports the overall Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives strategy.

Useful links

Useful information about obesity and weight loss

Additional links

Also on this site

Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: One Year On

April 2009 - A report reviewing progress on the delivery of the Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives strategy and setting out priorities for the future.

Foresight - Tackling Obesities - Future Choices Project

The Government asked Foresight in 2005 to carry out a review of obesity. Foresight reported its findings ‘Tackling Obesities: Future Choices’ Project in October 2007.

Obesity Care Pathway and Your Weight, Your Health

A comprehensive package of material (May 2006) for health professionals, as well as information to be given to patients, including Obesity Care Pathways for adults and children and a weight loss guide for patients.

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