Weighing on our minds
Food and Drink Technology
A Bell Publishing publication providing the food & drink manufacturing industry with the latest news and developments.
On world obesity day, the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) reiterated its commitment to advancing the health and wellbeing of those affected by overweight and obesity, calling for the government to bring forward its proposed five-point prevention plan.
The RCP’s special adviser, Dr Kath McCullough, describes obesity as one of the most significant public health challenges facing the NHS.
“With almost three quarters of adults aged 45-74 overweight or living with obesity and one in four children classified as living with obesity by the time they leave primary school, now is the time to act to avoid further ill-health.
This a huge challenge that cannot be underestimated and the food and drink industry will have to shoulder the blame even if it’s not wholly at fault. Obesity may be shaped by a number of (complex) factors, including genetics, environment, and social determinants of health, yet one industry is singled out time and again.
Now the call is for government to take decisive action on prevention through its health mission delivery board, with a specific obesity workstream. This is to include a focus on the expansion of weight management services and specialist care and implementing policies that create healthier food environments. Government said earlier this year that it would produce a five-point plan for prevention. The RCP wants this brought forward urgently, with actions on obesity.?
Food & Drink Technology heard from Dr Stephan Theis, head of nutrition science and communication at Beneo on this topic. Many people are taking matters into their hands, notably GLP-1 drugs. He says that as the demand for GLP-1 drugs for weight management rises, he believes that nutrition should remain the foundation for long-term health and success.
The popularity for GLP-1 drugs for weight loss shows the demand for quick fixes. The drugs certainly have their place, but as Theis says, “nutrition is paramount to ensure healthy outcomes and long-term success”.
The food industry is a crucial piece of the puzzle to contribute to a healthier future by simplifying nutrition for consumers to allow them to make the right food choices.
Theis says at companies like Beneo, the responsibility is to “contribute to better nutrition that fosters health and makes it easier to manage weight for all – be it those on GLP-1 drugs or coming off from it or those seeking weight loss without medication”.
The food and drink industry offers plenty of solutions to shape a healthier future from preventing nutrient deficiencies common in calorie-restricted diets to reformulation.
These approaches will need explaining to consumers for them to see and realise the benefits.
There is no size fits all solution for obesity, which makes it all the more complex to address. It is the responsibility of all of us, irrespective of i industry sector to tackle this issue and make change happen.