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"Obesity occurs when a person puts on weight to the point that it seriously endangers health. Some people are more susceptible to weight gain for genetic reasons, but the fundamental cause of obesity is consuming more calories than are expended in daily life.
Obesity is not an easy problem to tackle, though even modest weight loss confers significant medical benefits. Against a background of rising prevalence, halting the upward trend presents a major challenge. Part of the solution lies in preventing people from becoming overweight and then obese, as much as helping those who are already obese. As a lifestyle issue, the scope for policy to effect such changes in a direct way is very limited. The Department of Health cannot by itself be expected to be able to 'cure' the problem.
The document authors examine the way in which the NHS manages the problem of obesity. They found that many health authorities reflected the problem in their local health planning, and some had dedicated strategies to address it. The National Service Framework for coronary heart disease, published in March 2000, signals the Department of Health's intention to ensure that, in future, all NHS bodies, working closely with local authorities, will develop and implement effective policies for reducing overweight and obesity."
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