Obesity epidemic in Britain blamed on society

Oct 19 2007

According to a new report by a government think-tank in Britain the current obesity epidemic is the result of modern life and individuals cannot be blamed for being obese due to overeating and lack of exercise.

The report titled 'Foresight' supports the theory that weight gain is a far more passive phenomenon than previously thought.

Foresight which was sponsored by the Department of Health, is the result of a two-year study into the causes of obesity involving almost 250 experts and scientists.

It is the largest study ever conducted which examines the phenomenon of obesity in the UK.

The report says the British government must wake up to the looming crisis in time and implement specific policies aimed at curbing the rapid spread of the condition.

Sir David King, the government's chief scientific adviser and head of the Foresight programme says because of the availability of energy-dense, cheap foods, labour-saving devices, motorised transport and sedentary work, obesity is rapidly becoming a consequence of modern life.

Government health policies have concentrated on encouraging people, particularly children, to lead a healthier lifestyle, eat less fattening foods and take more exercise, but King said a wholesale change in attitudes was needed.

He says the complex evidence assembled demonstrates that the notion that the current obesity epidemic arises from individual over-indulgence or laziness alone, must be changed.

He says while personal responsibility is important, the study shows the problem is much more complicated and only change across many elements of society will help tackle obesity.

The authors say that there is no surefire policy that had been shown to work in controlling obesity because the problem is systemic; they predict that the obesity epidemic could take at least 30 years to reverse.

Dr. Susan Jebb of the Medical Research Council says the focus has been on the individual adopting a healthier lifestyle and that is simply not enough.

The researchers predict that if the current obesity growth rates continue, some 60 percent of men, 50 percent of women and 25 percent of children in the country will be obese by 2050.

The report says the costs involved in treating obesity-related conditions in 2002, reached an estimated £7 billion; such costs are expected to spiral to £46 billion in the next four decades.

The report says the bulk of the money will be consumed treating diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cancer and stroke.

Sir David King says this is not inevitable, but it is a scenario to be avoided and will involve action by individuals and the government.