Obesity Crisis Costs UK a Staggering £126bn Each Year
Study uncovers UK’s obesity epidemic cost. Learn more about the costs and what can be done.
This revealing article by Denis Campbell from The Guardian draws attention to the astounding cost that obesity and being overweight pose to the UK, a compounding issue that has spiralled to £126bn per year, exceeding previous estimates.
The costs include NHS care (£12.6bn), reduced quality of life and premature mortality (£71.4bn), and economic damage (£31bn) as calculated by Frontier Economics for the thinktank, Nesta.
The gravity of this escalating situation has prompted calls from advocates for more robust solutions, including extending the sugar tax to encompass a wider range of candy foods and beverages.
The sobering declaration from Henry Dimbleby, co-founder of the Leon restaurant chain, labels the current state of the country’s food system as “a collapse.”
64% of Britons are either overweight or obese which is estimated to cause an economic hit of £31bn.
Obesity has doubled since the 90s, leaving people less effective at their jobs or even entirely inactive due to ill health.
In fact, the Office for National Statistics records that 2.8 million people in the UK are economically inactive due to illness.
Frontier’s alarming £126bn calculation has been revised upward twice from £58bn in 2022 and £98bn in 2023. This marked increase reflects the resultant costs of being overweight as well as obese. Nesta foresees a worsening scene, with the costs of excessive weight possibly reaching £150bn by 2035 if noteworthy action to curb obesity is not taken.
Comment by Allen Carr’s Easyway
Findings like these emphasise the real and urgent need for comprehensive strategies that tackle the root causes of over-consumption and obesity.
At Allen Carr’s Easyway, we’re committed to helping individuals break free from restrictive diets which don’t work and enjoy a healthier relationship with food by addressing the psychological triggers of overeating so that people lose weight healthily and easily maintain their new weight.
Simple punitive measures such as taxing sugar may address symptoms, but it’s equally, if not more, crucial to tackle the root behavioural issues and give people the right support.
