You might be interested in a new and well-received report by C3 Collaborating for Health and the European Association for the Study of Obesity, ‘Obesity: perception and policy – multi-country review and survey of policymakers’. Rates of obesity have been rapidly rising, first across the developed world and, more recently, in developing countries. The health impacts can be myriad and serious, and the implications for individuals and for governments – including increasing health-care costs and falling economic output – are clear. Policymakers will be faced with the financial consequences of obesity – and they are well placed to take action to control the epidemic and its health repercussions. However, are their perceptions of obesity and obesity policy accurate? Do they appreciate the extent of the epidemic, the drivers of obesity, and the tools and actions that need to be taken to make a difference? To find out, C3 and EASO commissioned surveys of policymakers’ attitudes towards and knowledge of obesity issues in 11 countries: Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain and the United States. It found that policymakers would benefit from greater awareness of the extent of obesity and overweight (and particularly the latter) in their countries, with a better appreciation of ‘what works’ and the impact of obesity-prevention and -management programmes. If policymakers have solid knowledge of the extent of the problem and the existing evidence on successful interventions, national policies are more likely to be put in place that adequately address the reality of tackling obesity in the population.

The report, which was launched at the European Congress on Obesity in Bulgaria in May, is available to download from this page: http://www.c3health.org/c3activities/documents/obesity-policymaker-survey-2014/

Patricia Hughes

Associate: Nursing, Health & Development

C3 Collaborating for Health