Partnership Required to Fight Obesity

Obesity can be tackled through guidance and understanding

Private and public sector organisations need to work together to fight childhood obesity, or face a "healthcare time bomb", according to a new report.

The paper, Obesity: Challenges and Implications for Europe, has been published by Weber Shandwick with input from leading experts in the field. The report examines the roles that educators, advertisers, legislators and the food industry can play in reducing the critical problem of childhood obesity across Europe, and offers some considerations for ways in which the food industry can play a part in reducing obesity.

This new epidemic is estimated to cost between two and eight per cent of the total healthcare bill in Western countries, but the report warns that oversimplification of the causes of obesity and the search for blame has pitched industry, NGOs, governments, the media and consumers into confusion and unhelpful confrontation.

The report concludes that the way forward does not necessary lie in stringent legislation, but in all parties working together. Robert Davies, CEO of the International Business Leaders Forum, who contributed to the report, said: "If any inroads are to be made into combating the rapid growth and escalating cost of diet-related chronic disease, it will require public and private sectors and communities to work in collaboration towards common goals."

Dr. Derek Yach, representative of the Director General, World Health Organization, argues that obesity will be best tackled by leveraging the social marketing skills of the private sector to create initiatives that will educate and support children and their well being.

By Lord McNally, chairman, European diet and health practice,
Weber Shandwick.

To view a copy of the report, please click here.