By 2050 as much as 50% of the UK population could be obese, at a cost of £50 billion a year.

Obesity is a major issue that affects more and more adults and children across the UK each year. Tackling obesity seems like an enormous job. But it’s not impossible. By understanding how we can all be a bit healthier and a bit fitter, we can avoid the prediction that, by 2050, 50% of people in the UK will be obese.

The National Obesity Forum’s goal for National Obesity Awareness Week 2014 is to help people to better understand obesity and the simple ways that it can be tackled.

“One in five children in London are obese, with half of all adults being either obese or overweight. It is vital that people understand what it can mean for their long term health and my office is already promoting physical activity and healthier eating to Londoners. National Obesity Awareness Week is a fantastic opportunity to increase awareness, not just of the health implications, but also the simple things we can do on a daily basis, whether it’s getting on a bike, getting off the bus a couple of stops early, or using the stairs instead of the lift.”

-Boris Johnson, Mayor of London

National Obesity Awareness Week is a national call to action – let’s make obesity a thing of the past, not a prediction for our future.

The National Obesity Forum knows that, if we each make relatively small changes in how we live our lives – eating more healthily, being more active – we can make a big difference to our health and wellbeing.

But obesity is not just an individual problem, it’s a national problem. The societal cost of obesity is expected to reach £50 billion by 2050. And so there is also an important role for Government in helping us all to make healthy changes to our lifestyles.

This website provides information and tools to help people make healthy choices to tackle or prevent obesity. We have worked with a wide range of partners and supporters to provide:

Healthy recipe ideas and nutrition advice

Healthy recipe ideas and nutrition advice Exercise tips (including those that don’t need the use of an expensive gym!)

Exercise tips (including those that don’t need the use of an expensive gym!) Weight loss advice and resources

Weight loss advice and resources Events and promotions

Events and promotions Information for children and families

Information for children and families Opportunities to get involved by running your own awareness raising event.

So, kick off 2014 right, and make the small changes to your lifestyles that will make a huge difference to your life!

JOIN US IN OUR NATIONAL NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION TO TURN OBESITY AROUND! WHAT WILL YOUR RESOLUTION BE?

National Obesity Awareness Week is organised on behalf of the National Obesity Forum, a charity of healthcare professionals committed to raising awareness of obesity and providing education and training on obesity management. We’re also delighted to have the support of some of the leading charities and businesses in the country.

OUR SUPPORTERS

National Obesity Awareness Week is organised by The National Obesity Forum, and delivered with a team of partner organisations and sponsors.

THE NATIONAL OBESITY FORUM

The National Obesity Forum (NOF) was established in May 2000 to raise awareness of the emerging epidemic of obesity. NOF works to create recognition of obesity as a serious medical problem, provide education and training on obesity management and convince Government and healthcare workers to give obesity a high priority nationally and locally. For information on NOF, visit www.nationalobesityforum.org.uk

HEART RESEARCH UK

Heart Research UK is a visionary national charity founded in 1967 by Yorkshire heart surgeon Mr David Watson MBE, who realised that patients were dying unnecessarily because of the lack of research into heart disease, especially surgical techniques. Having paid for six of the first eight successful UK heart transplants, Heart Research UK still funds ground-breaking medical research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease. In the last ten years, the charity has provided more than £10.6 million to pioneering research projects in hospitals and universities across the UK as well as £1.2m on community-based lifestyle projects that aim to prevent or reduce the risks of heart disease. For more information about Heart Research UK, please visit www.heartresearch.org.uk