Victoria Atkins, the newly appointed health secretary, has sparked controversy within three weeks of her term by indicating that her strategy to combat obesity will predominantly center around dietary advice. This assertion, met with skepticism by health campaigners, underscores a more extensive issue affecting millions of people in the UK, with two in three adults contending with overweight or obesity, imposing an annual cost of £100 billion.
The dismal state of the country’s food environment, where unhealthy options dominate workplaces, leisure facilities, shops, and every corner, underscores the seriousness of the situation. The challenge goes beyond mere lack of individual willpower, as even those fervently striving to shed pounds find themselves hindered by pervasive advertising, ubiquitous availability, and enticing low-cost promotions.
Despite the enormity of the problem, Atkins, whose husband serves as the managing director of a major sugar company, appears hesitant to take decisive action. In an interview with The Times, she underscored the importance of fostering a healthy relationship with food and leaned toward prioritizing diet advice, eschewing the notion of a “nanny-state” approach.
Initially, the government had pledged to implement an array of measures to address obesity, including restricting junk food advertising and curbing volume-based promotions. However, to the chagrin of healthcare professionals and campaigners, these plans have been deferred until October 2025, with Atkins expressing the need to evaluate their effectiveness.
A recently acquired report, commissioned by the government’s obesity research unit, sheds new light on the issue, challenging the perception that individual responsibility alone can rectify the crisis. The report reveals that people are often ensnared into making unhealthy choices due to the widespread availability and promotion of cheap junk food, coupled with the higher cost of healthier alternatives.
Dr Paul Coleman, one of the report’s authors, highlighted the findings after conducting over 100 interviews across diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Participants were found to be aware of what constitutes a healthy diet but faced obstacles such as escalating food and energy costs, time constraints, inadequate kitchen facilities, and a reluctance to squander limited budgets on perishable fresh produce.
Coleman explained, “For many families, particularly those relying on insecure and unpredictable income, it is often the most affordable and appropriate option to depend on processed and less healthy ready meals.”
The report underscores that the lack of action to promote healthy foods and tackle the prevalence of unhealthy options has led millions of families, especially those with lower incomes, to normalize poor diets for their children.
The disconcerting statistics reveal that in England, two in five children leave primary school overweight, placing them at an elevated risk of chronic illnesses, mental health issues, and a shorter lifespan. Children affected by obesity are more susceptible to conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and even cancer, with long-term implications extending into adulthood.
Tam Fry, chair of the National Obesity Forum, echoing the report’s message, underscores the impact of relentless advertising and the easy availability of cheap ultra-processed foods. “Their most serious by-product – namely obesity – will continue to rise,” warns Fry, emphasizing the urgent need to address the allure and accessibility of unhealthy food.
As the UK grapples with a looming health crisis, the spotlight is now on policymakers to move beyond rhetoric and implement effective measures to reshape the food landscape. The October 2025 timeline seems distant in the face of an escalating problem that demands immediate attention. The stakes are high, and the health and well-being of millions hang in the balance.
