New report raises concerns over ‘normalisation of obesity’

A new government report has shed light on the increasing public health problems caused by rising obesity rates.

In the chief medical officer's latest annual report on the state of public health, the majority of the adult population is now overweight or obese, meaning excess weight is starting to become normalised in national culture.

According to estimates, almost two-thirds of adults and one-third of children under 18 are overweight or obese, with another study revealed that 77 percent of parents of overweight children did not recognise that their child had a weight problem.

Professor Dame Sally Davies said: "I have long been concerned that being underweight is often portrayed as the ideal weight, particularly in the fashion industry. Yet I am increasingly concerned that society may be normalising being overweight."

Other conclusions of the report included the fact that safety for pedestrians and cyclists needs to be improved to encourage people to walk and cycle more, allowing them to reap the associated health benefits.

Obesity puts people at a heightened risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer and stroke, as well as impacting on quality of life in other ways.