Don't say 'obese'... you might upset fat people, councils have been warned

Instead, they are people who need to 'achieve a healthier weight'

The word 'obese' should not be used when encouraging the public to lose weight as it may be 'derogatory', councils have been told.



Instead, anyone who is dangerously overweight should merely be urged to try to 'achieve a healthier weight', according to guidelines drawn up by the health watchdog NICE.



The guidance tells officials to ' carefully consider the type of language' they use when designing posters and leaflets.



Councils are being advised as to how best to approaching the issue of weight with larger people

Under a new Government strategy, councils – rather than NHS trusts – have been given the task of combating rising levels of obesity.



Ministers are giving town halls £ 5billion a year to tackle a range of public health issues, which also include binge-drinking, smoking and teenage pregnancies.



It is hoped this money will be spent on providing better sports facilities, more green space and on campaigns encouraging the public to be healthy.



The NICE guidance says council officials 'should carefully consider the type of language and media to use to communicate about obesity'.



It says: 'For example, it might be better to refer to a "healthier weight" rather than "obesity" – and to talk more generally about health and wellbeing or specific community issues.'



Childhood obesity is soaring in the UK raising the concern for the nation

It added that certain language might be seen as 'derogatory'. Ironically, the advice is contained in a paper entitled Obesity: Working With Local Communities. Tam Fry, spokesman for the National Obesity Forum, said: 'They should be talking to people in an adult fashion.



'There should be no problem with using the proper terminology. If you beat around the bush then you confuse people.



'This is extremely patronising. Obesity is a well-defined, World Health Organisation standard that everybody can understand.'



Ministers have been accused of a 'cover-up of epic proportions' for refusing to publish documents detailing the dangers of the Coalition's NHS reforms.



The documents – drawn up by civil servants two years ago – outline the potential impact on patient care, staffing and cost to the NHS.



Health Secretary Andrew Lansley yesterday announced that he was refusing an order from the Information Commissioner to publish them, warning that doing so would deter civil servants from giving 'frank' advice in future.

