Health Inequalities: Obesity as a Public Health Issue in the UK

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of obesity as a significant public health issue in the United Kingdom. It begins by defining health inequalities and introduces obesity as a pressing concern. The report offers definitions of obesity from various perspectives, including the World Health Organization (WHO), Public Health England (PHE), and a non-governmental organization (NGO). It presents statistical data on the prevalence of obesity in the UK, both nationally and globally. The core of the report focuses on different intervention strategies, including primary, secondary, tertiary, and primordial interventions, along with public health intervention strategies at individual and community levels. The report emphasizes the role of healthcare professionals in preventing and controlling obesity cases, and it concludes with a summary of the key findings and recommendations.

HEALTH INEQUALITIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
QUESTIONS...................................................................................................................................1
1. Public health (PH) issue...........................................................................................................1
2. Define public health issue from WHO....................................................................................1
3. Official definition of obesity from public health England (PHE) or NHS..............................2
4. Definition of obesity from an NGO perspective......................................................................2
5. Primary intervention available for Obesity..............................................................................3
6. Secondary intervention available for Obesity..........................................................................4
7. Tertiary intervention available for Obesity..............................................................................5
8. Primordial intervention for obesity..........................................................................................6
9. Public health intervention strategy available for obesity at an individual and community
level..............................................................................................................................................7
10. Role of health care professionals in preventing and controlling over obesity cases.............7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Health inequalities can be defined as avoidable differences between various social group and
population. There are many causes of increasing health inequalities such as income, wealth,
power etc (Daniels and Hassink, 2015). Government of nation always work to reduce such
differences and provide equal opportunity to each individual in order to lead healthy life. Present
study will describe public health issue that is Obesity in UK. Furthermore it will give definition
of PH issue from WHO and public health England view point. Report will explain primary
intervention that is available for such PH issue. In addition, it will illustrate Tertiary intervention
that is available for this public health issue.
QUESTIONS
1. Public health (PH) issue
UK is the developed nation but overweight and obesity has become serious public health
issue in country. There are many people those who are suffering from this health problem.
Obesity increase chances of suffering from type 2 diabetes, stroke, sleepapnea, dyslipidemia etc.
There are 1 out of 4 adults those who experience this health issue in United Kingdom. In the year
2014 approx 28.1% adults have been diagnosed with obesity (Bray and et.al., 2015). The main
cause of this illness is consuming more calories and lack of physical exercises. In modern era
people do not have sufficient time for doing regular exercise and they take unhealthy diet that
increases weight of person and individual endure from obesity.
Statistical records show that England is the place where around two third of adults are
suffering from obesity. They are overweight and are less aware with the causes of obesity. From
1993 to 2015 number of obese people has been increased from 13.2% to 26.9% in men. Whereas
in women, it has reached to 16.4% to 26.8%. Reports show that in the year 2016 there were
14.3% kids those aged with 10 to11 are suffering from obesity. NHS has sent around 6.1 billion
for minimising obesity cases in the UK. In the year 2016 around 617 obese people have admitted
NHS hospital; this number has been increased by 18% in next year (Bray and et.al.., 2015).
Global statistics: In the year 2016 around 1.9 billion adults age of 18 year have been diagnosed
with obesity. Around 13% of world’s population is suffering from this illness.
Local and national statistics: In the year2014 Health survey for England has conducted survey
in England and it is identified that 17% children were obese and around 14% people are
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overweight. Local records show that 62% adults are suffering from this disease in England. 2/3
in men and 10 women are overweight and obese in England.
(Figure 1overweight and obesity statistics, 2018)
2. Define public health issue from WHO
World health organisation (WHO) has defined obesity as excessive fat accumulation that
increases health risk in individual. Body mass index (BMI) measure weight and height of person
in order to identify weather the person is obese or not. If BMI is more than 30 that means
individual is suffering from obesity (Redsell and et.al., 2016). If it is equal to 25 that means
individual is overweight. In the year 2016 there were 1.9 billion adults diagnosed with obesity.
It is found that 41 million kids those who are below 5 year are obese. WHO defines obesity as
follow:
 If BMI is greater or equal to 25 that means individual is overweight.
 If BMI is greater or equal to 30 that means person is suffering from obesity.
3. Official definition of obesity from public health England (PHE) or NHS
In the year 2015 approx 63% adults have been diagnosed with obesity in UK those who
were having BMI over 25 (Todoric, Antonucci and Karin, 2016). From 1993 to 2015 number of
obesity cases have been increased, now there are 26.9% mean and 26.8% women those who are
suffering from this illness. Public health England is the agency that continuously works to
improve wellbeing of population and minimise health inequalities. PHE has defined obesity as
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having high sugar food that increases body fat and develops health illness among adults. It has
been described that BMI distribution greater than 95 is considered as obesity (Obesity, 2018).
NHS describes term obesity for the people those who are overweight and having excess
body fat. BMI is the most suitable method to measure person’s health condition (Overview –
Obesity, 2018). According to NHS:
 If BMI is between 18.5 to 24.9 means that means individual is heavy weight.
 If BMI mean is between 25 to 29.9 = overweight
 If BMI mean is between 30 to 39.9= obese
 BMI above 40= severely obese
4. Definition of obesity from an NGO perspective
Obesity is the sever condition in which individual suffer from excess body fat that creates
life threatening situation for them. UK is the nation where many young people are obese, around
80% of adults age between 10-14 year are diagnosed with obesity. International Size Acceptance
Association (ISAA) is the NGO that works to minimise weight based discrimination. According
to this group, obesity is considered as disability. ISAA follows ADA act (American with
disability act) that clearly states that obesity is public health issue that causes due to health
inequalities (Obesity and overweight, 2018). It is required to make effective anti- discrimination
laws in order to minimise cases of obesity in country.
5. Primary intervention available for Obesity
Primary prevention is the efforts that prevent people from suffering from public health
issue and help in prevalence from such health illness. In order to minimise obesity cases
government of the nation has taken actions. CATCH elementary plus school programs have
been organised in which school staff and students are being aware with the cases of obesity and
its prevention methods (Mura and et.al., 2015). School education, family awareness, media
association are primary prevention methods that can help in reducing number of obese people in
the country. Furthermore, CATCH early childhood programs are another essential intervention
that encourages having nutrition so that person can prevent own self from such kind of illness
(De Henauw and et.al., 2015).
Growing active communities training is the best prevention method. Health care
professionals are required to organise training programs for communities so that people can raise
their understanding and can take care of their wellbeing. By implementing environmental
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changes and promoting healthy diet authorities can minimise number of obesity cases in region
(Ronnberg and et.al., 2015). By implementing such kind of programs authorities will be able to
encourage population to improve their wellbeing and can promote a healthy life. Primary health
care department works for organising such kind of programs so that population can be prevented.
And healthy life can be promoted.
Over a period of time government of UK has taken effective actions in order to make
people aware with the benefit of healthy living. They have organised many camps that may give
knowledge to the population about causes and treatment of obesity. Primary intervention strategy
is implemented before identifying the evidence of injury (Daniels and Hassink, 2015). If the
person is gaining weight or is heavy weight but has not diagnosed obese, at this time individual
can implement primary intervention strategy. In this situation doctors and other physicians try
to reduce risk causes of obesity in the person. In such condition they suggest person to do regular
exercise. They encourage them to do running, yoga so that their weight can be reduced. This
helps the person in remaining healthy and controlling over excess fat gain. Furthermore, doctors
suggest the obese people to eat healthy diet. This is the best prevention strategy that supports in
remaining healthy and controlling over weight. Government of UK organises many physical
exercise camps. In these camps volunteers encourage them to do regular exercise and make them
aware with the benefit of regular work out (De Henauw and et.al., 2015). Doctors analyses their
diet and give them healthy diet chart so that they individual can recover from obesity soon. This
is the best way to control over increasing number of obesity cases.
Furthermore, developing healthy meeting policies is another primary intervention
strategy that aids in improving health condition of patients to great extent. Government should
ban the sales of sugar sweetened sodas and alcohol, hospitals should motivate the mothers and
have to make breastfeeding policy (Prevention of obesity on primary secondary and primary,
secondary and tertiary levels of tertiary levels of children's health care Children s health care,
2017). This may help in improving health condition of people and minimising the issues related
to this illness. Promoting nutritious chooses is another primary intervention strategy. Doctors are
required to encourage people to take healthy food. In the recent era kids, adults like to eat fast
food; such kind of material is dangerous for their health. These increases fat and affect immune
system as well. Thus, encouraging nutritious food always supports the person in avoiding such
kind of situation and recovering from obesity soon. Promoting daily exercise, establishing
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walking groups encourage people to be healthy and enjoy the benefits of good health (Overview
– Obesity, 2018).
6. Secondary intervention available for Obesity
If any family member suffers from obesity then biologically it passes to their next
generation easily. If parents have not taken precaution for the illness then it may increases
chances to develop in children as well. Active participation of children in play activities is the
effective prevention technique, if kids are involved in playing activities then it will help them in
maintaining their body fat. That would be beneficial in getting positive outcome and minimising
cases of obesity (Prevention of obesity on primary secondary and primary, secondary and
tertiary levels of tertiary levels of children's health care Children s health care, 2017).
Parents should attend behaviour and nutrition sessions in order to make changes in their
behaviour. By getting proper nutrition guidelines family members will be able to have healthy
diet and will be able to control over excess fat. Such secondary prevention programs are
designed in order to detect obesity cases in early stage so that timely treatment can be provided
to suffered person. Paediatricians are required to educate people by explaining causes of this
disease and best way to minimise its occurrence rate. Early identification of obesity through
screening is most significant prevention technique. By this way doctors can be able to treat them
in initial phase and can improve their health condition (Ronnberg and et.al., 2015). One of the
great example of secondary intervention is checking BMI during health check up for determining
obesity among adults. Periodic health examination, early intervention can support in taking right
treatment timely. Primary health care department is the responsible body for taking action to
protect people from suffering from such kind of obesity. Their main agenda is to control over
inhibit disease so that number of cases can be minimised.
Secondary intervention is another prevention strategy that is applied when disease has
been diagnosed and it is in initial phase. If doctors provide correct treatment to the person at the
beginning phase then it would be helpful in order to overcome from such illness. Secondary
prevention strategy is that individual is required to check body mass index every week. This will
help them in identifying their current situation so doctors can suggest them diet accordingly. This
is not the risky phase and in this stage treatment of obesity is very simple (Bray and et.al..,
2015). Physicians always try to motivate patients to take healthy diet. Screening is the strategy
that support in identifying the level of illness in the person and providing them treatment
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accordingly. Periodic health examination is another great secondary prevention strategy that aids
in examining health condition of person and providing antiparasitic treatment to obese patients.
In addition, additional therapies such as blood glucose control, calcium channel blockers
etc. may support the person in recovering from this situation. Life style changes is the best way
that may assist the person in improving their health condition and minimising consequence so
obesity (Prevention of obesity on primary secondary and primary, secondary and tertiary levels
of tertiary levels of children's health care Children s health care, 2017).
7. Tertiary intervention available for Obesity
Tertiary interventions are such methods that are implemented after establishment of illness.
One individual has suffered from this disease then there are various methods that can be used to
prevent them from this health illness (Daniels and Hassink, 2015). Tertiary prevention
techniques are such as stop using tobacco, start taking healthy diet, start doing regular exercise
etc. Symptomatic treatment, continuing care is the significant techniques available for obesity.
Suffered person has to take continuous care and have to make changes in their habits. This can
help in minimising the adverse effects and improving wellbeing of individuals. Furthermore,
pharmacological and non- pharmacological intervention techniques are another best way to
prevent people from obesity. Hospitals and specialists are responsible for tertiary prevention of
obese people (Redsell and et.al., 2016).
Tertiary prevention are implemented in the case when individual is in critical stage and
suffering from consequences of obesity. Antiparasitic treatment, symptomatic treatment is
considered as most effective strategies that may help obese person in improving their health
condition (De Henauw and et.al., 2015). Pharmacological interventions are another great strategy
in which doctors gives medicine to the ill person so that individual can control over fat.
Continuing care is another tertiary prevention strategy. As in case of established disease
condition it is very difficult for person to get recover thus, individual is required to continuously
care themselves. This may support them in recovering from obesity and living a healthy life.
Efficacy of treatment for obesity: patients have to make dietary changes in their diet and have
to perform regular exercise. This is the long term solution or treatment for obesity. Furthermore,
weight loss surgery is another effective treatment for the obese people. Gastric bypass, hormonal
treatments are considered as efficacy of treatment.
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8. Primordial intervention for obesity
Primordial preventions can be defined as actions that are taken to minimise risk factors.
There are various components that cause obesity such as economic condition, social aspects,
behavioural situations and cultural patterns etc. By making children aware with effectiveness of
choosing right lifestyle authorities can make them able to live a healthy life. Changes in their life
style such as smoking cessation, encourage them to do regular exercise can minimise chances of
occurrence obesity in adults (Prevention of obesity on primary secondary and primary,
secondary and tertiary levels of tertiary levels of children's health care Children s health care,
2017).
Primordial intervention strategies are implemented in the condition when risk factor is
developing with rapid speed. If the individual is suffering obesity then there is high chance to
suffer from other chronic diseases as well such as high blood pressure etc (Bray and et.al..,
2015). There are many adults those who are overweight and suffer from hypertension etc. The
main cause of this illness is smoking, unhealthy eating, lack of physical exercise etc. Maintaining
appropriate weight is considered as one of the major primordial intervention strategy. Individual
is required to control over excess fat. This will support in avoiding this illness. Furthermore,
controlling over blood pressure and glucose level may help the individual in minimising chances
of suffering from obesity. Healthy eating and regular exercise is the most essential and effective
solution .This intervention strategy helps the person in controlling over sugar level and
maintaining blood pressure as well (Prevention of obesity on primary secondary and primary,
secondary and tertiary levels of tertiary levels of children's health care Children s health care,
2017).
9. Public health intervention strategy available for obesity at an individual and community level
One of the effective strategies to reduce obesity cases in country is to design effective
legislation that can help in minimising health crises. Designing tobacco cessation laws, smoking
ban can help in improving health condition. Encouraging physical activities is the great strategy
that would help in behaviour changes of individual. Government should organise health check-
up camps time to time so that BMI can be measure timely and symptoms of obesity can be
identified in early stage (Todoric, Antonucci and Karin, 2016). That would help in giving proper
timely treatment that would help in minimising prevalence rate of obesity in nation. Educational
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programs are effective at individual level in order to prevent people from this illness. Improving
socio- economical factor can be beneficial in protecting people from this disability.
Community efforts have been made in order to minimise number of cases of obesity. One
of the major prevention strategies at community level is early care and education. Community is
continuously working to provide early care to suffer people so that they can get recovered soon.
They work to develop a healthy habit among population so that individual can protect themselves
from such kinds of illness (Mura and et.al., 2015). Furthermore, Salad Bard to school was
another community level; prevention strategy in which authorities have promoted health at salad
bars in schools. They make kids aware with benefit of healthy eating and proving them academic
knowledge related to healthy diet. This supports in promoting wellbeing and minimising number
of obese cases in UK.
Statutory bodies play significant role in health and social care. Authorities have
conducted The National Child Measurement Programme to minimise number of obese people in
country. Furthermore, it instructs local health care organisations to organise regular check up
camps so that person can identify the issue in early stage and can take necessary treatment on
time.
10. Role of health care professionals in preventing and controlling over obesity cases
Health care professionals play significant role in prevention and controlling over obesity.
Medical professionals make people aware with the causes and primary prevention techniques of
obesity so that individual can take care of own self and can prevent own self from suffering from
this illness (De Henauw and et.al., 2015). They organise health camps and educational programs
to make people aware. Specialists and care providers always communicate essential primary and
secondary prevention strategies with patients so that they can be aware. Care nurses encourage
obese patients to involve in physical exercise so that blood pressure and fat can be controlled.
Furthermore, they suggest them strategies for weight management. Pharmacological and non-
pharmacological intervention strategies provided by health care professionals help in controlling
over obesity and promoting healthy life.
Being a nurse, it is my responsibility to take care of patients. I always ensure that I collect
necessary information about medical issue of person and offer them services accordingly. I help
obese people to do regular exercise and I prepare diet chart for them. By performing my duties I
became able to prevent patient’s from serious consequences.
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Health care providers play the role of motivator; they encourage people to make changes
in their life style. When patient suffer from serious obesity then care providers try to make
radical lifestyle changes in the life of human being. They motivate them to lose their weight
through exercise and eat healthy diet (The Role of Health Care Providers in the Prevention of
Overweight and Type 2 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents, 2005). Psychological counselling
techniques are used by doctors to understand the actual behaviour and nature of person. Health
care providers take support of directive methods; this is the intrinsic motivation tool to bring
positive changes in the patients. This methods can be used for the people those who are less
people.
CONCLUSION
From the above study it can be concluded that UK is the country where obesity has become
the serious public health issue. People whose BMI is greater than 30 suffer from obesity. There
are various primary, secondary and tertiary interventions that help in protecting people and
controlling over prevalence rate of this disease. Health care professionals plays vital role in
promoting healthy life and controlling over occurrence rate. They educate people and make them
aware with the causes of obesity. By this way individual chose right life style and can prevent
own self from such kind of illness.
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REFERENCES
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obesity. Pediatrics. pp.peds-2015.
De Henauw, S. and et.al., 2015. Effects of a community‐oriented obesity prevention programme
on indicators of body fatness in preschool and primary school children. Main results from
the IDEFICS study. Obesity reviews. 16. pp.16-29.
Mura, G. and et.al., 2015. Physical activity interventions in schools for improving lifestyle in
European countries. Clinical practice and epidemiology in mental health: CP & EMH.
11(Suppl 1 M5). pp.77.
Redsell, S. A. and et.al., 2016. Systematic review of randomised controlled trials of interventions
that aim to reduce the risk, either directly or indirectly, of overweight and obesity in
infancy and early childhood. Maternal & child nutrition. 12(1). pp.24-38.
Ronnberg, A. K. and et.al., 2015. Intervention during pregnancy to reduce excessive gestational
weight gain—a randomised controlled trial. BJOG: An International Journal of
Obstetrics & Gynaecology. 122(4). pp.537-544.
Todoric, J., Antonucci, L. and Karin, M., 2016. Targeting inflammation in cancer prevention and
therapy. Cancer Prevention Research.
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