Weight gain not an individual's fault, British
government project finds
LONDON - Obesity does not result simply from over-eating and a lack
of exercise, but is a consequence of modern life, a British
government think-tank said on Wednesday.
Weight gain does not result from peoples actions such as
over-indulgence or laziness alone, and is a far more passive
phenomenon than is often assumed, according to Foresight.
It found that the technological revolution of the 20th century has
led to weight gain becoming unavoidable for the majority of the
population, because our bodies and biological make-up are out of
step with our surroundings.
Stocking up on food was key to survival in prehistoric times, but
now with energy dense, cheap foods, labor-saving devices, motorized
transport and sedentary work, obesity is rapidly becoming a
consequence of modern life, said Sir David King, the British
governments chief scientific adviser and head of the Foresight
program.
The British Department of Health-sponsored project is the result of
a two-year-long study into the causes of obesity involving almost
250 experts and scientists.
They predicted that the so-called obesity epidemic would take at
least 30 years to reverse.
The government has, up until now, focused policy designed to tackle
obesity on encouraging people, particularly children, to lead a
healthier lifestyle, eating less fattening foods and taking more
exercise.
But Sir David said a wholesale change in attitudes towards obesity
is required to address the problem.
Foresight has, for the first time, drawn together complex evidence
to show that we must fight the notion that the current obesity
epidemic arises from individual over-indulgence or laziness alone,
he said.
Personal responsibility is important, but our study shows the
problem is much more complicated.
It is a wake-up call for the nation, showing that only change
across many elements of our society will help us tackle
obesity.
Range of changes needed
The researchers said there was no single magic bullet solution;
even a new appetite-suppressing drug would not be the answer,
because the problem is systemic.
Tackling obesity, like tackling climate change, requires a range of
changes in society, from increasing everyday activity through the
design of the built environment and transport systems to shifting
the drivers of the food chain and consumer purchasing patterns to
favor healthier options.
If current obesity growth rates continue, some 60 percent of men,
50 percent of women and 25 percent of children in the country will
be obese by 2050, according to the researchers.
Associated chronic health problems are projected to cost society an
additional 45.5 billion pounds per year.
Commenting on the report, British public health minister Dawn
Primarolo said: We have made progress with improved physical
activity levels at school, healthier school food for children,
clearer food labeling and tougher restrictions on advertising foods
high in fat and sugar to children but we know that we need to go
further and faster.
She said tackling childhood obesity remains a key cross-government
priority, with the aim to cut the proportion of overweight
children to 2000 levels by 2020.
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