Obesity is the leading cause of serious diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer, and it is estimated that about 10% of all deaths each year in England can be attributed to being overweight and obese.
Last month, Simon Stevens, the new head of the NHS, said he would like to see businesses introduce financial incentives for employees who take steps to improve their health and reduce their BMI (Body Mass Index).
Dame Sally urged families to do their part in reversing long-term trends in child obesity. She writes: “As children take their first steps through the school gates, one in 10 is already obese. By the time they leave primary school, this number has grown to one in 5”. Simple changes to diet and exercise can make such a difference, not only for weight, but also to give them a healthy and nutritious start to life.
Obesity is an issue that nobody can afford to ignore. Figures show we have had one of the fastest rises in obesity among developed nations since 1980. Studies also show some people who are overweight believe they are about the right weight. This normalisation is even more worrying when it comes to children. In one study, 77% of parents of overweight children did not recognise their child was overweight.