To tackle the UK’s obesity crisis, it’s time to change how we think

With the nation’s weight increase an ongoing cause for concern, experts say we should stop blaming individuals and recognize it as a disease

After thirty years of governmental efforts to combat rising obesity rates, England’s weight problem has only worsened, reaching crisis proportions.

The numbers tell a stark story. Back in 1980, roughly one-third of England’s population (36%) struggled with excess weight¹. Today’s Health Survey for England reveals a dramatically different picture: nearly two-thirds of the nation (64%) now lives with overweight or obesity². The situation is particularly concerning when examining obesity rates specifically – cases where BMI exceeds 30 and health risks become more pronounced. This condition has surged more than fourfold over fifty years, climbing from a mere 7% to 29% of the population.

These figures position England among Europe’s most weight-challenged nations³, with obesity levels rapidly approaching those of the United States, where 73% of people carry excess weight.

What makes this trend particularly troubling is its persistence despite extensive political intervention. Cambridge University research reveals the scope of these efforts: between 1992 and 2020, governments published 14 separate obesity strategies encompassing 689 individual policies⁴. Yet none have successfully reversed the crisis.

Dr Bryony Henderson, a GP and medical director at digital health company Numan, acknowledges the good intentions behind these initiatives while highlighting critical shortcomings in their approach.

“What’s striking is how rarely policy proposals are backed by solid evidence,” Dr Henderson explains. “Research examining three decades of strategies found that only 19% included proof of their potential effectiveness⁵. Beyond this, many policies are simply never put into practice.”

However, Dr Henderson identifies an even more fundamental problem: historical strategies have predominantly emphasized individual accountability for weight management, while failing to tackle the broader environmental and systemic factors that contribute to obesity development.

STEPPING BEYOND WILLPOWER

“Society has deeply embedded the notion that obesity management comes down to personal willpower alone, and our public health policies frequently mirror this misconception,” Dr Henderson observes.

This perspective, she argues, stems from an overly simplistic interpretation of basic nutritional science – the idea that weight gain happens solely when calories consumed through food and beverages consistently surpass calories burned through daily activities and exercise.

This viewpoint enjoys widespread public support. Numan’s survey of 1,000 adults revealed that 57% believe obesity can be resolved through the simple formula of eating less while increasing physical activity. More than half (56%) attributed weight problems to insufficient exercise or too much sitting, while over a quarter blamed overconsumption of food (28%) or excessive intake of sugary beverages and snacks (25%).

MOVING IN A NEW DIRECTION

Zoe Griffiths, a registered dietitian and VP of behavioural medicine at Numan, argues that these entrenched attitudes must be confronted before meaningful progress can occur.

“The widespread belief that weight management boils down to eating less and exercising more creates a major obstacle to developing truly effective solutions,” Griffiths explains. “The truth is that diet and exercise by themselves frequently fall short when it comes to treating obesity.”

She points to behavioral support as a crucial missing piece, particularly when integrated into comprehensive weight-management programs that combine lifestyle guidance with other interventions. “Research demonstrates that behavioral approaches can significantly improve both immediate and long-term results,” Griffiths notes.

Dr Henderson emphasizes that tackling rising obesity rates requires a fundamental shift in how we conceptualize the condition. “We must begin educating people that obesity is a complex, chronic disease with multiple contributing factors,” she stresses. “Food intake, beverages, and physical activity certainly matter, but obesity’s development involves far more intricate processes.”

UNPACKING THE CAUSES OF OBESITY

The reality is that obesity stems from numerous interconnected factors: disrupted sleep patterns, chronic stress, underlying mental and physical health conditions, certain medications, limited access to affordable nutritious food, restricted opportunities for physical activity, and inadequate healthcare access.

Yet public awareness of these complexities remains remarkably low. Numan’s research revealed that fewer than one in ten respondents recognized medical conditions, stress, or genetics as obesity contributors⁶.

“Scientific evidence shows genetics plays a substantial role. Current estimates suggest that up to 70% of the variation in body mass index between different people can be attributed to genetic factors,” Dr Henderson explains. She adds that our surrounding environment and the lifestyle options available to us also significantly influence outcomes.

“Environmental change is the crucial factor,” she continues. “We’ve engineered an ideal storm where genetic predisposition meets an obesogenic environment, creating the perfect conditions for obesity rates to skyrocket.”

Numerous proposals have emerged that could help people maintain healthier weights more easily: improved food labeling systems, restrictions on advertising unhealthy products, and mandating nutritious options in childcare facilities and schools. The food industry itself has faced mounting criticism for its role in this crisis.

“Food manufacturers have engineered products with irresistible combinations of sugar, fat, and salt while stripping away protein and fiber. This approach has significantly fueled our obesogenic environment,” Dr Henderson argues. “This demonstrates exactly why the food industry cannot be trusted to safeguard public health.”

Given this complex landscape, what practical solutions exist for the millions of people currently living with obesity in the UK?

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