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For 5 yrs I have taught medical students about childhood obesity, pointing out that it is complex, and strongly associated with socioeconomic deprivation. That simplistic fixes and blaming children and their families won’t work. That we need to change society. 1/2
So it is deeply frustrating to see the same simplistic messages coming from @DHSCgovuk and @BorisJohnson. For privileged people who can afford a personal trainer and a chef, weight loss is still not easy (though it is *easier*). We need structural and cultural change. NOW. 2/2
That was supposed to be the end but it can’t be; here are some things: I, as a clinician, activist and advocate believe would work.
1. Infant and young child nutrition. Support breastfeeding and responsible feeding. Look at the work of @MeghanAzad @1stepsnutrition @Prof_AmyBrown
1. Infant and young child nutrition. Support breastfeeding and responsible feeding. Look at the work of @MeghanAzad @1stepsnutrition @Prof_AmyBrown
2. Look at the built environment and how it promotes activity. Structure for humans not cars. Don’t make cyclists swap between spaces dedicated for cars and feet. Have clean, efficient, fast, reliable public transport.
3. Make schools places of health and activity. Provide nutritious, varied and tasty food. Teach children how to cook, even better have a space to grow produce. Make physical activity fun not selective. Find something every child can enjoy doing.
4. Look at the incredible success of @parkrunUK - true grassroots activity which normalises physical exercise for all abilities and welcomes everyone. Work with communities to bring #parkruns to everyone’s doorstep.
5. Consider food deserts: areas of the UK where there are no shops selling affordable healthy foods. How do those communities access food? What barriers need dismantling?
6. Look at how people live their lives: how easy is it for families with food insecurity, uncertain employment, poor accommodation, unsafe physical environments, health issues and limited time to cook healthy food from scratch and exercise? (Spoiler alert: it isn’t).
Because if the PM of this country, arguably one of the most privileged people in the world, got ‘too fat’ in his words, how is anyone less privileged going to maintain a healthy weight? https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2020/jul/27/i-was-too-fat-boris-johnson-launches-uk-obesity-reduction-drive-video
