A call to action on obesity: Progress and next steps Richard Cienciala Deputy Director of Health and Wellbeing Department of Health

The scale of the challenge The UK has among the highest rates of obesity in the developed world. 63% of the adult population in England is either overweight or obese 19% of 10-11 year-olds in England are obese Some evidence of a plateau, too early to know if this is a trend – levels of obesity remain extremely high There is a strong association of child obesity with deprivation and still significant differences between ethnic groups

A burden on individuals, the NHS and wider economy Compared to a healthy weight person, obese people are much more likely to develop high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes and obesity is a serious risk during pregnancy Children who become obese are very likely to stay obese through their adult lives, with associated health problems Direct costs to the NHS are estimated to be £5.1bn/year There is also a cost to the wider economy of around £16 billion, with the potential to rise significantly

Obesity – a public health priority The Government’s Call to action on obesity was published in October 2011 National ambitions: A sustained downward trend in levels of excess weight in children by 2020 A downward trend in the level of excess weight averaged across all adults by 2020 Excess weight in adults and children (4-5 and 10-11 year olds) are indicators in the Public Health Outcomes Framework

A complex problem…

…requiring comprehensive, determinant–wide action A lifecourse approach, involving action across all age groups Population-wide measures matched by action tailored to support individuals Treatment given a growing focus, alongside prevention Providing information to underpin choice and transforming the environment to make the healthier choice the easier choice Recognising that increasing physical activity is important for good health but, for most of us who are overweight and obese, eating less is key to weight loss Building activity to maximise contributions across a wide range of partners Rebalancing local and national level action

Progress – one year on Continued key national programmes: - Change4Life, £14m three-year strategy with a series of campaigns National Child Measurement Programme, to become a mandated service for LAs from April 2013 Roll-out of NHS Health Check – identification of overweight and obesity in 40 -74 year olds and support for change Invested in data and evidence through the National Obesity Observatory and Obesity Learning Centre Developing example service specifications to improve the commissioning of adult and child tier 2 lifestyle weight management services

A growing focus on calorie consumption Built new partnerships with those with a role to play eg business through the Responsibility Deal Over 20 major companies have signed up to the calorie reduction pledge to cut and cap calories Calorie labelling has expanded rapidly in out of home settings. We will see labelling in 9,000 outlets across the country by the end of the year Front of pack labelling - consultation completed, key businesses announcing willingness to move position

Helping people be more active Physical activity – CMO guidelines, National Ambition, Olympic legacy School Games – more than 14,000 schools registered Change4Life school clubs – engaging non-sporty young people Launched Games4Life, to encourage more than 1m people to get more active

Looking forward – local leadership Local government will bring together the broad coalition of partners required to prevent obesity, and to build on existing work in areas like Cornwall Public Health England will provide data and evidence to support local action from April 2013 Health and wellbeing boards will agree priorities and types of approach that make sense locally The NHS will retain a central role - making every contact count, clinical treatment NICE is developing new guidance to support local Government and the NHS Sharing knowledge and experience through events like today’s is key

Looking forward – national-level action Continuing progress through the Responsibility Deal – wider sign up, work on promotion of food Intensifying work across Whitehall – public health as cross-government priority, eg National Planning Policy Framework Obesity Review Group – regular review of national progress Change4Life campaign will continue to provide information to support families and individuals

Questions and comments welcome Conclusion Questions and comments welcome Thank you