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

2. 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 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

3. 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

4. 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 year olds) are indicators in the Public Health Outcomes Framework

5. A complex problem…

6. …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

7. 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 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Questions and comments welcome
Conclusion
Questions and comments welcome
Thank you