World Obesity Day 2021

COVID-19 and obesity have proved to be a fatal combination highlighting the need for a more pro-active and effective NHS strategy. Since 2014, obesity and excess body fat has contributed to more deaths in England and Scotland than smoking, with experts claiming that Britain’s status as the ‘sick man of Europe’ has led to its high COVID-19 death toll.

It is a major public health issue, with 67% of men and 60% of women classed as overweight or obese. However, misconceptions, outdated stereotypes, and discriminatory attitudes prevail across the UK – often acting as a barrier to possible solutions.

More than three quarters of respondents (76%) did not know certain medications can contribute to society. A similar number weren’t aware that the condition could be a cause of genetics (77%) or psychological disorders (75%).

Whereas almost half of UK adults (45%) believe it is the fault of the individual if they are overweight, according to new research from Medtronic.

Aston spoke to Professor David Kerrigan, President of the British Obesity & Metabolic Surgery Society to discuss the affect of this stigma on preventing possible solutions to the obesity crisis from operating at full capacity.