Obesity is widely acknowledged as a major public health issue, not just in the UK but globally.

It is a serious health concern which increases the risk of many other health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, joint problems, mental health problems and some cancers.

There is also evidence to suggest that people living with obesity are at higher risk of the more severe outcomes associated with COVID-19.  Furthermore, evidence suggests that people living with obesity are more likely to be admitted to hospital and are at greater risk of COVID-19 complications.

The 2019 Global Burden of Disease study shows obesity as 1 of the biggest risk factors driving death and disability in England, as well as high blood pressure, alcohol use and smoking.

Pre-pandemic, from April 2019 to the end of December 2020, data shows there were:

• 10,780 hospital admissions directly attributable to obesity.  A decrease of 3% on 2018/19, when there were 11,117 admissions
• just over 1 million hospital admissions where obesity was a factor, an increase of 17% on 2018/19 figures when there were 876,000
• 294,000 items prescribed for the treatment of obesity, a slight decrease from the previous year, but still high
• costs associated with hospitalisation for obesity related conditions of more than £6.1 billion.

Many different statutory organisations have a role in helping to prevent and reduce obesity.