Opinion on the effectiveness of policies to tackle obesity in the UK in 2021

In May 2021, 67 percent of the British people surveyed believed that better GP support for obese people with referrals to weight management services is an effective policy to tackle obesity in the United Kingdom, while 23 percent believe that would be ineffective. Furthermore, 60 percent of respondents believed rewards for people who eat better, and exercise would be effective in tackling obesity in the UK,

Obesity levels high and have increased over time

Obesity among adults in England has amplified since the turn of the century. Among both genders in 2000, 21 percent were classed as obese. Although by 2019, this share had increased to almost 30 percent of the population. Additionally, 27 percent of boys and 20 percent of girls aged between 11 and 15 years of age were reported as obese in 2019.

Effects on the health service

The number of hospital admissions as a result of obesity has increased alongside the rise in the prevalence of obesity in England. In 2019/20, over eight thousand women and nearly 2.7 thousand men were admitted to hospital for obesity. Compared to fewer than nine hundred and five hundred admissions among women and men respectively in 2002/03. The highest number of admissions due to obesity were found in the age group 45 to 54 years, with over 3.1 thousand admissions in that age group.