Obesity has become one of the biggest health challenges of our time. Around 26.5% of adults and 22.1% of children aged 10–11 in England are now living with obesity. For years, the most common advice given to people struggling with their weight has been simple: "Eat less, move more." But research and experts now say this advice is outdated, ineffective for many, and often harmful.
It’s time to understand that obesity is not just about personal choices or willpower. It’s a complex and long-term medical condition caused by many factors — including our environment, economic conditions, mental health, and even the kind of jobs people do. Without major changes to public policy and our surroundings, the obesity crisis will only get worse.
The True Cost of Obesity in the UK
A new report has found that obesity and being overweight are already costing the UK an estimated £126 billion every year. This figure includes:
- £71.4 billion from lower quality of life and early deaths
- £12.6 billion in NHS treatment
- £12.1 billion from unemployment
- £10.5 billion in unpaid care by families and communities
If nothing changes, these costs could increase to £150 billion a year by 2035.
The Environment Is Setting Us Up to Fail
We now live in what scientists call an "obesogenic environment." This means our daily surroundings make it very easy to gain weight and hard to stay healthy. High-calorie, low-nutrient foods are cheap, easily available, and advertised everywhere — especially to children. At the same time, opportunities to be physically active have decreased due to modern lifestyles. Many people live in car-dependent areas, spend most of their time sitting at desks or in front of screens, and have limited access to parks or safe places to walk.
People from poorer areas are affected even more. They often live in “food deserts” where fresh and healthy foods are not available or are too expensive. Public transport might be poor, green spaces might be lacking, and housing conditions can be stressful — all of which make healthy living harder. In this context, gaining weight is not about laziness. It is a normal response to an unhealthy environment.
The Problem With “Eat Less, Move More”
Despite all the research and expert advice, most obesity strategies still focus on changing individual behaviour. People are told to cut calories and exercise more. While this can help some, it doesn’t work for everyone and doesn’t address the root causes of obesity.
This approach also creates a harmful message: that people who are overweight are lazy or lack self-control. This feeds into weight stigma — the judgement, shame and discrimination people face because of their body size. Weight stigma is common in schools, workplaces, and even in hospitals, and it makes things worse. People who experience it are less likely to seek medical help or stick with treatment plans.
Obesity Is a Medical Condition, Not a Personal Failure
We need to reframe obesity as a chronic health condition — like diabetes or asthma — not as a problem of willpower. Experts agree that obesity is a long-term, relapsing medical issue that requires continuous care and support. Short-term diets or fitness plans aren’t enough.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Obesity Health Alliance both recommend a more compassionate, science-based approach that focuses on the whole person and their unique circumstances.
A Better Way Forward: What Needs to Change
To tackle obesity effectively and fairly, the UK must take the following steps:
1. Recognise Obesity as a Disease
This means creating structured treatment pathways that are available to everyone who needs them. Obesity should be treated like any other chronic disease, with access to doctors, dietitians, mental health professionals and long-term support.
2. Fight Weight Stigma
We need to end discrimination based on body size. This means providing proper training for healthcare workers, teachers and employers to treat all individuals with dignity and respect. Stigma creates barriers to care and leads to worse health outcomes.
3. Offer Personalised Support
Everyone is different. Good obesity care must consider a person’s background, culture, mental health, family life, and income level. Treatment should include regular check-ups, shared decision-making, and mental health support to help people manage their weight in a realistic and sustainable way.
4. Fix the Environment
No amount of healthy eating advice will work if the world around us encourages unhealthy choices. The government must:
- Expand the sugar tax to include more unhealthy products
- Restrict junk food advertising, especially to children
- Invest in public transport, green spaces and community gyms
- Improve access to affordable, nutritious food
- Require food companies to make ultra-processed foods healthier
Time for a Systemic Shift
The belief that obesity is a personal problem ignores science and fuels shame. Experts like Henry Dimbleby, who wrote the government’s National Food Strategy, say that our food system is “poisoning the population and bankrupting the state.”
If we keep focusing only on telling individuals to make better choices, we’ll keep failing. To reduce obesity and its massive costs to the NHS and economy, we must rebuild the systems that shape our food choices, movement, and health.
Obesity is not about lacking discipline. It’s about how our society is set up — and it's time for change.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
Obesity isn’t just about what’s on someone’s plate — it’s about what’s on our streets, in our schools, and in our policies. If the UK wants to create a healthier future for all, we must stop blaming individuals and start transforming the world around them. The era of “eat less, move more” is over. What we need now is bold leadership, smart policies, and compassion.