Weight loss

The UK is gripped by an epidemic of obesity. Obesity is associated with a greater risk of Type 2 Diabeties which kills 20,000 people a year in the UK. This is twice as many as deaths caused by alcoholism and 4x as many deaths caused by recreational drugs.

Education and preventative rather than treatment is sensible and would save many lives and a lot fo suffering, yet at present the focus is on medication for treatment. There is no proof that weight loss through the use of drugs is sustained once medication ceases.

A preventative governmental strategy would be more cost effective. We do not see much progress becuase:

1) Lobbying form the food indusry

2) pressure from the pharmaceutical industry

3) preventative measures would take about 20 years to implement and have an effect on the next generation. Politics generally has a 5 year horizon focussed on re-election. In broad terms education and prevention is not an election winner and is unlikely to be promoted by the government.

4) Healthy eating is seen as costing more and is adopted by those who are more affluent.

5) Fast food eating has become a cultural phenomena especially with younger people.

6) There is a cultural backlash against what is seen as bias against those who are overweight and with many advocation for a fat is beautiful ethic.

7) School agendas to do promote healthy eating by evidence of the fact that many schools meals are of poor nutritional value and that childhood obesity continues to rise. (If is they rate attempting to educate healthy food it's not working)

There is some hope. The House of Lords is tempting too address the issue and has published a paper on their objectives which is included in the information within this section.