New specialised support to tackle obesity

Over £70 million is to be invested into weight management services, enabling up to 700,000 adults to have access to support that can help them to lose weight.

Made available through the NHS and councils, the funding will be spent on a range of things, from access to digital apps, weight management groups or individual coaches, to specialist clinical support.

A further £30 million will fund initiatives to help people maintain a healthy weight, including access to the free NHS 12 week weight loss plan app and continuing the successful Better Health marketing campaign to motivate people to make healthier choices. Part of the £30 million pot will also go towards upskilling healthcare professionals to support those in early years and childhood with intervention and enhanced training packages, helping up to 6,000 children and families to lead healthy lives.

The government plans will prioritise helping those who need the most support to achieve a healthier lifestyle, including people living in some of the most deprived areas of the country.

Obesity is one of the biggest health crises the country faces. Almost two-thirds of adults in England are overweight or living with obesity – and one in three children leave primary school overweight or obese, with obesity-related illnesses costing the NHS £6 billion a year.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Helping people to achieve or maintain a healthier weight is complex and can be a very hard task. We want to make it easier for people to lose weight, which is why our funding set out today ensures those across all ages have the right level of support and tools they need to make healthier lifestyle choices.

“These measures will allow us to work with local authorities and optimise different areas of our healthcare services to encourage healthy behaviours for all. The urgency of tackling obesity has been brought to the fore by evidence of the link to an increased risk from Covid-19, so it’s vital we take action on obesity to protect the NHS and improve our nation’s health.

Ian Hudspeth, chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “This new funding is a positive step and a reflection of our shared commitment with government to helping people of all ages achieve a healthier weight, by investing in prevention. Tackling obesity and helping their communities live healthier and more active lives is a top priority for councils. Sadly, the impact of unhealthy weight has been brought into sharper focus by the coronavirus pandemic.

“This extra investment in councils’ weight management services is recognition of their excellent work to date, allowing them to reach out and support more people. It is good this funding will be targeted, so that those areas most in need will receive the greatest support. Councils are keen to work in partnership with government and the NHS in building the case for weight management services. Sustainable, long-term funding is also needed to provide healthy lifestyle services, which will help reduce health inequalities and obesity rates.”