Public Health Foundations: obesity
In the global fight against obesity, the United Kingdom has undertaken a comprehensive initiative through tackling obesity strategy and aligned it with the mission of organisations like Oen UK to prioritise prevention and treatment. The report has aimed to provide a critically discussed and analysed strategy intervention and policy related to obesity to the policymakers and to the healthcare institutions to highlight the pervasive public health concerns with obesity (Bagnall et al., 2019). As obesity continues to exert a profound impact on health, contributing to the condition such illness is like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and the need for evidence based ethically sound interventions are important (Balogun, 2021). Therefore, the report would focus on exploring the intricacies of obesity interventions and the report could also inform the future public health practises offering insights into the effectiveness of obesity related interventions and ethical considerations that have the potentiality to improve the purpose of tackling obesity strategy.
Obesity is one of the persuasive public health concerns, both globally and within the United Kingdom, that poses a significant threat and challenge to individuals and the society at a large proportion. The World Health organization, has defined obesity as an abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair the good health conditions (Balogun, 2023). On the other hand, the repercussions of such circumstances like obesity are far reaching that associates with establishment between overweight or obese and increase the risk of prevalent diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease or certain cancers. Moreover, emerging evidences advocate the link between obesity and severe illness, including mortality from covid 19.
Figure: obesity parameters among adults
Source:
In response to the escalating obesity epidemic, the UK. Government has implemented several policies emphasizing on the need for a comprehensive and multifaceted approach. The tackling obesity empowering adults and children to live health their lives. Initiative has been launched in July 2020 and it outlined strategies that would support healthy eating expand NHS weight management services at the same time (Capehorn, Haslam and Welbourn, 2016). On the other hand, a plan on restricting promotions on high fat, high salt and sugar food was introduced in September 2022 with an implementation scheduled for October 2025. Such policies have been effective, reflecting an acknowledgement of the urgency to address the complex issue of obesity from a public health standpoint.
While examining the health survey for England data from 1993 to 2021 it is observed that the changing landscape of adult obesity is there. The prevalence of the obesity surge sharply from 1993 to 2001 followed by more gradual increase in the subsequent years. In 2021, There were 38% adult population detected with overweight issues, while 26% were classified as obese (GOV.UK, 2021). The gender disparity in the obesity rate is not worthy, while 32% of adult women being overrate compared to 43% of men. This data has advocated the persistent challenges of obesity and its intersectionality with factors such as gender.
The national child measurement program data has manifested a spinning information from 2006/7 to 2022 that highlights the prevalence of obesity in children aged 10-11. The prevalence increased from 17.5% in 2027 to 26% in 2021. On the other hand, also highlighted in the data that the decrease in the obesity rate in 2021 2022 remained elevated compared to the pre pandemic (Holmes, 2021). While such fluctuation prompts a closer examination of the impact of external factors such as covid 19 pandemic on childhood obesity. Most importantly, the association between deprivation and childhood obesity is quite evident, while children in the most deprived areas experiencing higher prevalence rates (Musingarimi, 2008). Therefore, despite governments ambition to reduce the gap in obesity prevalence between deprived and affluent areas the data revealed that a widening gap over the years, especially among 10-11 years old, were persistent.
Figure: obesity parameters among children aged 10-11
Source: (Musingarimi , 2008)
Based on the background evaluation of obesity as a concern in the UK. It is observed that both adults and children are significantly impacted by such public health issue. And the government’s policy initiative manifested commitment in addressing the multifaceted issues, while delay of implementation has also created certain questions about its effectiveness at the same time.
Main Causal/Contributory Factors of Obesity
In relation to discuss the main contributory factors towards obesity in the UK, it is important on highlight the obesity as a fact that comes with complexity and multifaceted public health issues influenced by mid aid of factors including individual societal and environmental disseminations. Understanding the main casual or contributory factor is important for formulating effective interventions that would address the Root Cause of obesity (Nuffield Trust, 2023). Based on the insights from the module sessions 1 and two and relevant theories, the analysis would aim in evaluating the key factors that influencing obesity and their implications for public health. further.
One of the main factors are individual level, as lifestyle choices plays an essential role in creating obesity among the individuals. Poor dietary habits characterized by the excessive consumption of high calorie, low nutrients, food and contribute to weight gain. These are the primary factors working behind individual obesity challenges (Obesity Empowerment Network, 2020). Sedentary behavior that also another influential factor in the aspect of obesity and driven by modern technologies and urbanization. Moreover, the behavioral theories such as half health belief model and the theory of planned behavior have manifested a clear insight into understanding how individual perceptions, attitude and intention save lifestyle choices that would impact weight or individual health, leading it to obesity.
The structural factors encompass the broader social, economic and environmental conditions that helps in shaping the individual behavior. Here Sir Michael Marmot’s concept of the cause of the cause’s emphasis the social determinants of Health, highlighting how social structure contributes to health inequities. The socioeconomic status is a critical structure factor that influences obesity among individual with lower SES facing higher risks (Public Health England, 2020). Limited access to affordable, nutritious food known as food, dessert and inequities in built environments could significantly influence the physical activity and a lack of proper structural facility contribute to the obesity disparity at the same time.
Obesity is not uniformly distributed across populations, but disparities exist along socio economic and demographic lines. People belonging from lower socioeconomic data often face higher burden of obesity due to the limited resources education, healthcare infrastructure and lack of proper nutrition in their foods. Societal determinants such as education and income intersect with cultural factors influencing dietary practices and lifestyle choices (Public Health England, 2022). Most importantly, the social ecological model provides a framework to understand how these multi-level factors interact, emphasize and stresses on the importance of interventions targeting individual interpersonal community and societal level of reforms in a simultaneous manner.
Several theoretical frameworks can be utilized in this regard to understand and explain the idea and concept of obesity causation. The socioeconomical model rooted in the ecological system theory refers to the interconnectedness of individual interpersonal community and societal factors. On the other hand, the model aligns with the marmot’s explanation on the structural determinants and provides a holistic lens for addressing obesity (A. Omoleke, 2011). On the other hand, the health belief model and the Theory of Planned Behavior have focused on individual decision making, which refers to the susceptibility, severity, benefits and barriers, influencing health related behaviors. On the other hand, the theory of land behavior emphasizes the role of attitude subjective norms and perceived behavioral controls.
Therefore, to effectively address obesity interventions must adopt a holistic approach that considers both individual behaviors and the structural factors that influences them (Theis and White, 2021). By integrating such theories, like the socioecological model, HBM, & TPB, public health practitioners can design interventions that would target the various levels of obesity among the common people and policies addressing inequalities in the such public health concerned area could help in providing comprehensive strategy for future as well.
Balancing Factors in Obesity: A Pathogenic and Salutogenic Perspective
Obesity, a complex and prevalent public health issue, is influenced by the delicate balance of pathogenic and salutogenic factors. The interplay between these two aspects is very much essential, as it will help in developing a clear understanding about the interventions that would help and essential to address the root cause of the public health concern, like obesity (Venturelli et al., 2019). The analysis is intended to draw an inside regarding the prevention and screening of the pillars of public health module session, where it helps in exploring the intricate balance of the factors contributing to obesity through the lenses of pathogenic and salatrogenic factors.
Balancing factors in obesity:
Obesity results from a dynamic intersection between the various factors, like encompassing genetics, environmental behavioural, economic elements. Unravelling the complex web requires an appropriate understanding about both the pathogenic factors that contribute to weight gain and the salutary factor that promote health and wellbeing (White et al., 2018).
Pathogenic factors:
The pathogenic factors involve the clear understanding of the origins and mechanism of diseases. In relation to obesity, the pathogenic factors reveal its origin. That includes genetic predispositions, environmental triggers and behavioural patterns that contribute to weight gain in individuals (Wolfenden et al., 2019). On the other hand, Genetic factors identified through the family and twin studies, which plays a critical role and highlights the genes of a family that have a history of obesity, contributes to the future generation suffering from obesity at the same time. Apart from this, the obesogenic environment characterises in terms of definitely availability of energy dense foods and sedentary lifestyles that contribute significantly to weight gain (Bagnall et al., 2019). Therefore, the behavioural factors such as unhealthy dietary patterns and physical inactivity are central components of the pathogenic landscapes.
Salutogenic factors:
The cellotogenics, on the other hand, focuses on the factors that promote health and wellbeing. In relation to obesity prevention, selected any factors encompasses elements that advocate healthy lifestyle, poster resilience and create environments that conducive to positive health outcomes. Access to nutritious foods opportunities for physical activity and supportive social environment are salutogenic components that contribute in developing a clear weight management or weight loss schedule for an individual (Balogun, 2021). Most importantly, simultaneous approaches sometimes include Aspects that empower individuals in the course of knowledge and skill required for making healthier choices. Therefore, promoting a sense of control over one’s health is the main motto of solitary genic factors in this regard.
Prevention and Screening, The Pillars of Public Health:
The module representing prevention and screening provide a foundation for understanding the importance of early intervention and Prevention strategies in tackling obesity. On the other hand, prevention efforts must not only target the symptoms, but also address the underlying causes aligning with salutogenic approaches. The pillar of public health offers insight into the monthly dimensional nature of public health, emphasizing the interconnectedness of individuals, community and societal factors (Balogun, 2023). Most importantly, the holistic prospective that is crucial for crafting interventions and provides a clear insight, strikes a balance between pathogenic and salutogenic considerations.
Therefore, it is quite clear that the balance between the scales in obesity management requires dual perspective for acknowledging both pathogenic and factors. Intervention should not merely focus on reducing weight, but should also Focus on the root causes and promote cultural of Health (Capehorn et al., 2016). On the other hand, the holistic approach helps in identifying the need for comprehensive strategies in that would cover the prevention, early detection and health promotion, and also help the policy makers to understand areas of improvement at the same time.
Policy Support for Tackling Obesity: A Critical Analysis
Obesity, A pressing public health concern requires robust policy development and support to address the multifaceted causes and consequences. This analysis goes deeper in terms of assessing the current historical policy, political support for tackling obesity, scrutinising the alignment and the government’s role along with world health organisation’s policy implication to prevent the causes (GOV.UK, 2021). Drawing insights towards the public health policy and key public health organisations module it can be stated that it examines the policies on societal changes and fostering health enhancing environment.
Current and historical policy support:
The landscape of policies in terms of tackling obesity has managed to reflect the increasing recognition on the urgency to address the complex issue the UK Government’s policy application in tackling obesity, empowering adults and children to live healthier lives. In July 2020 manifested the contemporary commitment to combat obesity through multifaceted strategies (Musingarimi, 2008). Historical policies such as childhood obesity, a plan for action, launched it in 2000 and 16 advocated a persistent effort to address obesity at an early age. The political support for the obesity related policies can be differentiated based on their ability to influence the public opinion, economic considerations and competing policy priorities. Historically, obesity has faced challenges in gaining sustained political attention while, Understanding the political landscape is important for navigating the complexities of policy implementation and longevity.
In the context of presenting the alignment of policies with the issues of obesity, it is important to highlight the evidence on the causes of obesity. Analysing the current policy, it is observed that the outlined policy by government of the UK in 2022 documented a plan for recognising multi factorial nature of obesity. It highlights the facts related to healthy eating and expansion of weight management services, while restricting the promotions of high fat, salt and sugar for foods (Public Health England, 2020). However, the challenges remain intact with the issue of obesity, despite of policy alignment. For example, delayed implementation is Seen in case of food promotions pushed to October 2025 which also raised questions about the immediate political aspects that would enact based on evidence and measures. Balancing economic considerations in restrict interest and public health imperatives remain delicate task for policymaker till now.
Focus of Policy on Societal Change or Health-Enhancing Environment
The focus on policy related to social change or health enhancing environment is another essential thing in this regard, to understand the policy-based support that the government is providing in terms of preventing or reducing the chances of obesity among the population. The government’s plans acknowledge the need for societal levels shifts exemplified by restrictions on promotions of unhealthy foods (White et al., 2018). However, the delayed implementation highlights the prompt scrutiny regarding the commitment to catalyzing swift and impactful changes. Drawing on different examples related to public health policy, it is observed that integrations of policy development and implementation could become evident tool for the policy makers to promote societal change of an encountering resistance (Wolfenden et al., 2019). The influence of powerful stakeholders like the food industry necessitates the navigating aspects of complex political involvement and dynamics into the policy implementation, but it could also genuinely enhance the health environment from a different point of view.
Therefore, the assessment of public support for tackling obesity requires in depth understanding of the historical current and future policy landscapes. On the other hand, there is a commendable acknowledgement of the evidences that highlight the causes and focus of societal change in recent government plans.
In the context of addressing the obesity requires a diverse array of interventions spanning from policy changes, community actions and behaviour changes and so on. Based on the interventions mentioned to the public health models provided the following principles needs to be discussed relating to these interventions, the public health models criticised for various reasons and from various perspectives in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the strength and limitations (Bagnall et al., 2019).
In the past few years, the UK government has focused on creating many initiatives in order to address the challenges of obesity and among those interventions, one of the prominent one is to incorporate the restrictions on promotions of high fats, salt and sugar foods. The community actions involved collaborative efforts to create environments, conducive to health choices, while behavioural changes and interventions related to it individual daily routine targeting on their diets and other habits (Capehorn et al., 2016). Apart from this, the UK government tackling obesity strategy in collaboration with the public health Englands better health campaign aims to prioritise the obesity prevention and treatment while adhering to all the health inequalities. Emphasising nationwide healthcare provisions, the strategy focused on expanding with management services, providing training for healthy weight coaching and increasing behavioural interventions in the primary care (Public Health England, 2020). Most importantly, consultations on food labelling and calorie information in alcohol are proposed. Hence, the better health campaign encourages healthier choices and offers a free NHS 12-week weight loss plan app at the same time.
Navigating Ethics in Obesity Interventions
The Nuffield Ladder provides a valuable feedback framework for explaining the ethical dimensions of public health interventions. On the other hand, in relation to tackling obesity, interventions can be assessed based on their proposition and position on the ladder. Understanding the ethical implications involved careful balance between individual autonomy and collective well beings (Nuffield Trust, 2023). At the base of Nuffield Ladder, minimum intervention respects individual autonomy focusing on providing normal information and education. The following positions of the ladder intervention become progressively more intrusive, involving nudges, incentives and finally coercion (Nuffield Trust, 2023). The ethical considerations arise from determining the justifiability and effectiveness of interventions at each rank waging the potential benefits against the impact on personal freedom.
Figure: The Nuffield Ladder
Source: (Nuffield Trust, 2023).
Republic health perspective, the ethics in publicity interventions involve grappling with the issues such as victim blaming, individual interests and the concept of choices. Avoiding victim blaming required recognising the influence of complex socioeconomic factors on obesity. Most importantly, balancing individual interests with the collective goods necessitates policy that promote health without infringing excessively on personal liberties (Nuffield Trust, 2023). Therefore, understanding the nuance concept of choice acknowledges the impact of environments and inequalities on individual disability to make healthful decisions.
In conclusion, it could be stated that obesity has been one major drawback in the health parameter in the UK. The UK government tackling obesity strategy manifested a clear approach that integrates policy changes, healthcare expansion and environmental modifications. Therefore, the report has focused on providing a clear insight about the public health models, theories involved in mitigating obesity, along with a rich background to understand the current situation in the UK. Most importantly, public health models guided interventions and navigation towards the landscape required ongoing commitment. Enhanced best strategies and holistic understanding of the complexity of obesity.
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