GPS will prescribe diets to combat obesity
Ministers hail weight-loss drive as research shows heavier nations have high proportion of Covid deaths
‘Being overweight increases the risk of becoming ill with Covid. If we all do our bit, we can reduce our own health risks and take pressure off the NHS’
MORE than 700,000 people will be prescribed diet plans, apps and wearable activity trackers as part of a government drive to combat obesity.
Under the plans, the man who invented Nectar points and Air Miles will be asked to examine rewards and incentives to help individuals make healthier choices. Officials said it was too early to say whether the schemes – part of a £100million government investment – could allow shoppers discounts on healthy foods. Other proposals under discussion include the prescription of wearable activity trackers such as Fitbits to persuade the public to take part in a national competitive step challenge.
The plans coincide with warnings that Britain’s Covid-19 death toll has been fuelled by its obesity epidemic, with research by the World Obesity Federation showing nine in 10 fatalities occurred in countries with a weight problem. As well as having the third highest Covid death rate in the world, Britain has the fourth highest obesity rate, the report warns.
Today, Boris Johnson will announce the appointment of Sir Keith Mills, who invented the Air Miles and Nectar loyalty card schemes, to advise on a new approach to lifestyle changes. Officials said he would advise on the development of a new “fit miles” strategy that used incentives and rewards to support people to eat better and move more.
GPS will be encouraged to talk to overweight patients about their weight, and prescribe them weight loss plans.
The review will also look overseas for inspiration, such as the national step challenge in Singapore, to which almost a quarter of the public signed up, taking part in activity competitions.
More than two in three adults in the UK are overweight or obese.
The Prime Minister has shown renewed interest in efforts to combat obesity, after admitting that his own coronavirus hospitalisation was a “wake-up call” that he needed to lose weight. Mr Johnson said: “Losing weight is hard, but making small changes can make a big difference.
“Being overweight increases the risk of becoming ill with Covid. If we all do our bit, we can reduce our own health risks – but also help take pressure off the NHS. This funding will give extra support to people across the country who want to lose weight, too.”
Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, said: “We want to make it easier for people to lose weight, which is why our funding set out today ensures those across all ages have the right level of support and tools they need to make healthier lifestyle choices.”
Today’s research by the World Obesity Federation shows there is not a single country with low levels of obesity which had a high death rate from Covid.
The study of almost 100 countries found that 2.2million of 2.5million deaths occurred in countries with high levels of obesity.
Overall, death rates were found to be 10 times higher in countries where more than half the population was overweight. Obesity has been found to increase the risk of death from Covid by around 50 per cent.
The World Health Organisation said the report should act as a “wake-up call” for governments to tackle their obesity problems.
The country with the lowest Covid death rate was Vietnam, which has one of the lowest levels of excess weight in its population, with just 18 per cent overweight. Japan and Singapore were also singled out for their low levels of obesity and deaths from Covid.
In 2008, Japan introduced the “Metabo law” which requires everyone between the ages of 40 and 74 to get annual measurements of their waist circumference. Employers of those with waistlines above approved limits are required to provide weight loss classes.