Is Obesity in the UK as Serious as Climate Change?

The Independent on Sunday reported on Oct 14^th that, in the words of Alan Johnson, the Secretary of State for Health in the UK, obesity is as serious as climate change.

New government research from experts led by Sir David King, the Government’s chief scientific adviser, warns that half of all adults in the UK could be clinically obese by 2050, causing health problems on a huge scale with a steep rise in heart disease, diabetes and cancer which could stretch health service resources to the breaking point, and also necessitate changes in public transport.

The Health Secretary showed interest in a ban on junk food advertising at times when children are likely to be watching, investigation of the use of cartoon characters to sell foods high in sugar, salt and fat, and a possible ban on trans-fats. Sir David King’s final report is expected to focus on prevention, with the provision of more open spaces, walking routes and cycle lanes in Britain’s cities and towns.

I find the likening of the steep rise in obesity with climate change the kind of comparison which does little to illuminate either issue and leaves the audience deadened in a state of permanent alarm which is easy to get used to. Mentioning climate change has come to signify that scare tactics are being used — no more and no less.

Moreover, the individualised approach to the problem he proposes, as though obesity were just a wrong lifestyle choice made by people who believe in advertisements and cartoon characters, trivialises the issue and patronises us all. The suggested remedies are bans or ‘provisions’ meted out or provided from above. The final problem which is said to be as serious as that of climate change –- i.e., the eventual destruction of the planet on which we live –- is put in terms of the inconvenience and expense this will cause the state and the taxpayer.

In fact I would argue that the key to respecting our bodies and making healthy and responsible choices because we want to, and feel free to, lies in a different approach altogether. It lies in accepting and listening to children as whole people, at home and at school, and in encouraging and maintaining active, critical engagement with the world around us — an approach which is not likely to be part of government recommendations any time soon, but which all of us citizens can start now.

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