Weight loss jabs alone will not be enough to turn the tide on obesity
The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) called on the Government to make sure people across the country have equal access to weight management services.
It should also make sure people have wraparound support to help ensure they do not pile back the pounds on after they have lost weight, the RCP said.
It also called for action to tackle the nation's 'broken food system' to help people make healthier choices, including reducing 'aggressive' marketing and advertising of unhealthy food.
In a new position statement, the College said: 'Medication alone will not be enough to make meaningful and lasting progress on tackling obesity.'
It said that the Government must also tackle the 'social and environmental drivers of obesity'.
The position statement adds: 'Policies should reduce aggressive marketing and advertising of foods high in fat, salt, and sugar, while increasing the availability and affordability of healthy foods from an early age.
'We must tackle our broken food system and ensure it is easier for all to choose to eat healthily.'
#BetterHealth offers a range of free NHS apps to help people eat better and get active, including the NHS Weight Loss Plan app.
Data shows it can help people lose 5.8kg on average over just 12 weeks. Find out more: https://t.co/Bv6bumO9ZU pic.twitter.com/XQuL0z6unA
— NHS London (@NHSEnglandLDN) July 25, 2023
Last week the Government pledged to 'launch a moonshot to end the obesity epidemic' in its 10 Year Plan for Health.
Now the College has urged ministers to set out details and timelines of how it will deliver this commitment.
It comes as the College released a poll of members and fellows, showing that four in five (80%) of almost 19,000 doctors in the UK, surveyed by the RCP, said that the number of patients they see with obesity has increased over the last five years.
The RCP warned that treatment for other illnesses is less effective as a result of obesity.
Dr Kath McCullough, special adviser on obesity for the RCP, said: 'The narrative that obesity is about personal responsibility or that new medications will solve the problem is misleading.
'Obesity is a chronic illness shaped by a range of factors and influences – and it's on the rise.
'We are seeing daily how obesity causes and makes it harder to treat conditions, from diabetes and arthritis to heart disease and cancer.
'The NHS 10 Year Plan rightly sets out a suite of measures that can be used in the fight against obesity, but the armoury is far from complete.
'Weight loss drugs can be part of the solution for some patients, but our efforts must focus on preventing people developing obesity and overweight in the first place.
'We welcome the measures Government announced last week – they have great potential. We look forward to seeing the detail on how we will translate that ambition into reality.'
RCP president Dr Mumtaz Patel said: 'Doctors are telling us loud and clear about the scale and impacts of obesity. It is undermining treatment, driving up complications and placing additional pressure on an already overwhelmed NHS.
'In less affluent communities, we're watching obesity fuel a vicious cycle – people are getting sicker, their care becomes harder to deliver and the system just can't catch up.
'We welcome steps the Government is taking. No few individual measures will be enough. It is a complex problem that requires multifaceted solutions.
'We need bold, joined-up preventative action that tackles the genetic, social, economic and commercial factors that drive obesity.'
An estimated 1.5 million are taking weight loss jabs in the UK.
Around 29% of adults in the UK are obese.
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Yes, you can mix and match meals if there's one you don't like or browse some of our other diabetes-friendly recipes for additional inspiration. We aimed for about 40 grams of carbohydrates per meal, so if you're choosing an alternate recipe you may want to keep that in mind. Other parameters we aimed for were 1,800 calories per day, no more than 14 grams of saturated fat and a max of 2,300 milligrams per day. Can I eat the same breakfast or lunch every day? You can definitely eat the same breakfast or lunch every day if it's easier for your routine. Each breakfast and lunch option is about 40 grams of carbohydrates, so a simple swap should work for most people. The calories are fairly similar as well, though you may want to adjust a snack or two if you're closely monitoring total calories or other nutrients, like protein and fiber. Why is there not a modification for 1,200 calories? We no longer provide modifications for 1,200-calorie days in our meal plans. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggests that limiting calories to 1,200 per day is too low for most people to meet their nutritional needs, plus it's unsustainable for long-term health and well-being. How much fiber should I eat per day? Fiber needs vary based on factors such as age and sex, but in general, adults should aim for 26 to 34 grams of fiber per day. Because of its beneficial impact on blood sugar levels, people with diabetes may want to be particularly mindful to hit their fiber intake goals. Health Benefits of this Diabetes-Friendly Meal Plan Moderately-Low in Carbohydrates: If you have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, you may think you need to drastically cut back on carbohydrates. However, that's often not necessary or sustainable for most people. This plan is set at a moderately-low level of carbohydrates, with about 40% of the day's calories coming from carbs instead of the 45 to 65% of total calories from carbs recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. To help support stable blood sugar levels, we spread the total carbohydrates out fairly evenly between the days meals and snacks. Carb sources in this plan include fiber-rich whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables. For many people with diabetes, reducing total carbohydrates slightly and increasing fiber and protein intake can help support healthy blood sugar levels. Individual carbohydrate needs can vary based on factors like age, sex, body size and activity level, so consider reaching out to a healthcare provider, registered dietitian or a certified diabetes educator for more individualized guidance. High-Fiber: Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that's not broken down by the body like other carbohydrate sources, which means it doesn't raise blood sugar levels. Research shows that people with type 2 diabetes who eat more fiber have lower fasting blood sugar levels and a reduced hemoglobin A1C. In addition to its blood sugar benefits, eating a high-fiber diet is linked to improved heart health, lower body weight and a healthier gut. Each day has at least 32 grams of fiber in this 7-day plan. Heart-Healthy: Because people with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease than people without diabetes, we created this meal plan with both heart health and healthy blood sugar levels in mind.7 To help support heart health, we capped saturated fat at 14 grams a day, which is a type of fat that may raise LDL cholesterol, and capped sodium at 2,300 milligrams per day, in accordance with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. High-Protein: Each day includes at least 99 grams of filling protein. Because protein is the building block of our cells, it plays a role in every function of the body. For people looking to keep their blood sugar in check, protein is particularly important. Previous research compared the impact of eating a carbohydrate source alone versus a carbohydrate paired with a protein. They found that the carbohydrate and protein combination resulted in significantly lower blood sugars 60 minutes post-consumption than the carbohydrate consumed alone. Pairing carbohydrate-rich foods with a good protein source can be a helpful strategy to promote better blood sugar We Create Meal Plans Registered dietitians thoughtfully create EatingWell's meal plans to be easy-to-follow and delicious. Each meal plan meets specific parameters depending on the health condition and/or lifestyle goal it is targeting and is analyzed for accuracy using the nutrition database, ESHA Food Processor. As nutritional needs differ from person to person, we encourage you to use these plans as inspiration and adjust as you see the original article on EATINGWELL
