It is predicted that there will be 11 million
more obese adults in the UK by 2030.
Health problems associated with being
overweight or obese cost the NHS more
than £5 billion every year (Department
of Health, 2013). Obesity decreases life
expectancy by seven years in a 40-yearold.
The increase in risk of death with each
unit increase in BMI declines progressively
with age but remains substantial until the
age-group of 75 years and older (Haslam
and James, 2005). Measured by BMI, obesity
now affects around one in four adults (The
Health and Social Care Information Centre,
2012). Positively tackling the problem of
‘overweight’ before it escalates to ‘obesity’ is a social and medical imperative for health
professionals and governments alike.