Obesity has doubled in the UK since the early 1990s while on the continent France saw obesity rates fall during the same period. 30% of UK adults are now affected, while more than one in five children leave primary school living with obesity. Children in the most deprived areas are more than twice as likely to be obese by the end of primary school, and obesity is estimated to cost UK society £107 billion a year[1].
Against this stark backdrop, IGD has launched a report: ‘The obesity crisis’ which brings together data from across the food system to clearly show the scale and urgency behind the obesity challenge. It shows that the consequences are not evenly distributed and are becoming more costly for society and business alike, arguing that lasting progress will require coordinated action across the food system.
As such, the report highlights how policy, paired with industry response, can help drive meaningful change. While the use of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs is rising rapidly and may bring health benefits for some people, IGD’s report makes clear that these treatments alone will not solve the obesity crisis. Instead, it explains that a structural shift is needed, with the food and drink industry working more closely with government to overcome the obesity crisis.
Hannah Daley, head of health and sustainable diets at IGD, said: “The obesity crisis is one of the most urgent public health challenges facing the UK, and the food and drink industry has a critical role to play in helping to address it. Our report shows that real progress will depend on businesses, government and health stakeholders working together to make healthier diets more accessible, affordable and achievable for more people.
“IGD is committed to supporting that work with practical frameworks, evidence, collaboration and leadership to improve the population’s diet and tackle obesity at scale.”
Through its healthy and sustainable diets programme, IGD is supporting industry and government in a number of practical ways. These include:
- The Framework for population diet change, helping organisations design and embed a health strategy within their business.
- The Eatwell Economics report, analysing the opportunities and challenges for the food industry in aligning with national dietary guidance.
- A free sugars expert roundtable led alongside DHSC to identify challenges and potential solutions for calculating free sugars consistently at scale.
- Research with the University of Leeds, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda and Morrisons to evaluate HFSS placement legislation.
- Regular explainer articles covering the latest healthy and sustainable diet developments.
- The Healthy and Sustainable Diet Network, bringing together food system colleagues who want to help drive consumption of healthier and more sustainable diets.
For more information about the work IGD is doing to support health and sustainable diets, visit: https://www.igd.com/social-impact/health.
