Obesity is a complex public health issue that is a growing threat to children's health, as well as a current and future drain on National Health Service (NHS) resources.
It is estimated that obesity already costs the NHS directly around £1 billion a year and the UK economy a further £2.3 to £2.6 billion in indirect costs. It has been estimated that, if the present trend continues, by 2010 the annual cost to the economy would be £3.6 billion a year.
Tackling child obesity requires changes in the behaviour of individual children and their parents and of society in general, which reflects recent trends across most developing countries to greater fat and sugar consumption and reduced physical activity.
Discussed in this report:
- why child obesity is a public service agreement target
- achieving a cost-effective delivery chain - fieldwork findings
- what the delivery partners can do to strengthen the delivery chain
- resourcing the programme
- achieving an efficient delivery chain
- what our analysis set out to achieve
The report concludes that there is a risk that the government's target (jointly held by DH, DfES and DCMS) may not be met unless the departments provide clear leadership and guidance.