On Improving Health in the UK, the US and More

Last week, the British government announced “New rules on advertising unhealthy foods online and TV” and said:

• “Products in scope of the advertising restrictions will include those of most concern to childhood obesity, defined as high in fat, salt and sugar …

• “Childhood obesity is one of the biggest health problems this country faces … It is also an issue that affects adults, with around two-thirds (63%) of adults being above a healthy weight, and of these, half live with obesity.”

UK Public health minister Jo Churchill said:

• “These measures form another key part of our strategy to get the nation fitter and healthier by giving them the chance to make more informed decisions when it comes to food.

• “This action on advertising will help to wipe billions off the national calorie count and give our children a fair chance of a healthy lifestyle.”

Separately, the U.S. Center for Disease Control said,

• “Obesity is a common, serious, and costly chronic disease. Having obesity puts people at risk for many other serious chronic diseases and increases the risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

• “A study of COVID-19 cases suggests that risks of hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, invasive mechanical ventilation, and death are higher with increasing BMI …”

Country obesity levels (% of population, as of 2016).

OUR TAKE

• Obesity is a global health challenge and the UK’s approach may have a positive impact similar to efforts focused on the tobacco industry.

• Additional analysis will likely strengthen the linkage between COVID-19 risks and obesity and highlight risk disparities between socio-economic groups.

• Global obesity has tripled since the 1970s, making more people vulnerable to a broad set of health risks including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and certain cancers.

• Addressing obesity will require many approaches including 1) reducing the demand for ultra-processed foods 2) delivering more affordable healthy food options and 3) increasing the levels of physical activity and exercise.