Unit 19 - Analyzing Obesity Perspectives & Healthcare in the UK

This report examines the evolving perspectives on obesity in the UK and its implications for healthcare and social care services. It analyzes how public opinion, influenced by media coverage from sources like The Independent, ITV, and NHS UK, has shaped the understanding and treatment of obesity. The report highlights the shift from limited information and doctor-centric viewpoints in the past to the current era of increased awareness through the internet and social media. It explores the cultural, economic, and social factors influencing perceptions of obesity, including its association with unattractiveness and decreased self-esteem, as well as the impact of increased disposable income on weight management efforts. Furthermore, the report discusses the changes in healthcare practices, the growing demand for dieticians, and the UK government's initiatives, such as the 'Plan of Action to Treat Childhood Obesity,' aimed at addressing the issue. This analysis showcases the complex interplay between public perspectives, media influence, and healthcare responses to the challenge of obesity in the UK.

Introduction
Obesity is a very big challenge for UK authorities as it
leads to a large number of other diseases in people.
Hence present section has focused on the presence of
different perspective with respect to the issue of
obesity and how these perspectives have been
changed drastically over a course of time.

AC 3.1
The independent • dealing with the issue of obesity is not just about
diet and exercise
• Requires government focus on increasing
walkways and reducing the use of car for
transport
• Reduction in kids playing radius by 90 percent.
ITV • steps taken by government to reduce obesity
• banning the ads posted Online and on social
media regarding junk food
NHS UK • disturbing statistics about rising cases of obesity
all over the world including UK.
• 10 percent UK children are obese
• chances of developing type 2 diabetes and
cancer followed by being bullied send developing
a presence of low self-esteem

AC 3.2
Previous times- not many sources that provided
information hence dependence on viewpoints given
by doctors. TV, newspaper and radio also provided
limited information about obesity.
Present times - internet as well as social media has
made people aware about the onset of obesity, its
causes, and symptoms and after effects.
Perceptions now – obesity can be curbed by changing
lifestyle and eating habits.

AC 3.3
• change in the manner the practitioners treat the
issue.
• huge demand for dietician who can prescribe good
food choices to the people.
• government of UK has also increased overall funding
to treat .
• various programs launched like plan of action to
treat childhood obesity; healthy weight-healthy
lives etc.

AC 3.4
• Cultural –Obesity is a sign of being unattractive;
socially less desirable; having a negative body
image about oneself and having a presence of
decreased self esteem in White Americans.
• Economic - increased disposable income and
spending power- take steps to bring a reduction in
weight.
• Social - increase in internet and social media-
increased awareness towards the issue of obesity.

References
•
• Forster, K., 2017. NHS faces 'ticking time bomb', doctors warn Theresa May.
[Online]. Available Through <
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/nhs-cuts-bma-health-ticking-ti
me-bomb-doctors-warning-manifesto-policy-obesity-smoking-drinking-a772
8886.html
>. [Accessed on 27 February 2017].
• Bosselly, S. and Campbell, D., 2013. Food industry playing for time on
regulation, says obesity expert. [Online]. Available Through <
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/feb/18/food-industry-regulatio
n-obesity-expert
>. [Accessed on 27 February 2017].
• The Guardian. 2017. View on childhood obesity: forget small steps, tackle
big food. [Online]. Available Through <
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/11/the-guardian-v
iew-on-childhood-obesity-forget-small-steps-tackle-big-food
>. [Accessed on 27 February 2017].
• First major survey of Britain’s attitudes on obesity published. 2016. [Online].
Available Through <https://www.gov.uk/government/news/first-major-
survey-of-britains-attitudes-on-obesity-published>. [Accessed on 27
February 2017].
• Morley, 2017. Tackling childhood obesity is about more than just diet and
exercise. [Online]. Available Through
<http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/childhood-obesity-diet-exercise-
apps-a8015741.html>. [Accessed on 18th March 2018].
• Itv report. 2016. online and social media junk food ads targeting children to
be banned. [Online]. Available Through <http://www.itv.com/news/2016-
12-08/online-and-social-media-junk-food-ads-targeting-children-to-be-
banned/>. [Accessed on 18th March 2018].
• NHS UK. 2017. Childhood obesity soars worldwide. [Online]. Available
Through <https://www.nhs.uk/news/2017/10October/Pages/Childhood-
obesity-soars-worldwide.aspx>. [Accessed on 18th March 2018].