Welcome to the new news and media centre of the National Obesity Forum. We hope to make this area the site to visit for news and views of the obesity field in the UK. We've combined all the reports on obesity in the UK into one easy to find section.

 

UK Obesity News - we've set up a page that scours the internet for references to obesity and automatically updates whenever a new story appears.

 

BBC Obesity News - all the BBC news reports about obesity in one easy to find area.

 

NOF in the news - no need to look around the rest of the media to see references to the National Obesity Forum - we've compiled a list here that is automatically updated.

 

Research Reports - summaries of research reports taken from the press.

 

NOF and Westminster - ....in response to Westminster.

 

The media need you - perhaps you are a media company making a programme and are searching for contributors or perhaps you have issues that you think could do with wider discussion. If so then this is the place to come to.

 

Media Enquiries - use this page for details of how to contact the NOF about your enquiry.

YouthHealthTalk.org are looking for young people aged 12-20 to share their experiences for a new website on young people's weight and health.

If you would like to take part or could help us find young people who do, please contact us for more information: email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

National Obesity Forum are delighted to announce their new campaign for 2008

 

THE National Obesity Forum welcomes the publication of the new report by Dr Foster Research, `Weighing Up the Burden of Obesity’

We recognise that Primary Care is ideally placed to lead the way in addressing the health challenges posed by the obesity epidemic. Many creative approaches to tackling obesity among our patients have been spearheaded by healthcare professional in general practices. 

 

We are pleased to announce that the National Obesity Forum is once again sponsoring the Primary Care Awards.

 

Figures released yesterday by the National Child Measurement programme are deeply disturbing.  The fact that 22.9% of children in year one in primary school are overweight or obese surely indicates that measuring the BMI of children should begin much earlier.

The NOF view is that measuring BMI should begin at the age of one year and be repeated at yearly intervals throughout childhood, using appropriate charts based on breastfed children.  In this way deviations from the norm could be detected early and appropriate actions taken.

It has clearly been established that an early adiposity rebound is a significant risk factor for the subsequent development of childhood obesity.

We must not forget that left ventricular dysfunction has been detected in morbidly obese six year old children and that by early adolescents obese children display such features of the metabolic syndrome with hypertension, dyslipidaemia and endothelial dysfunction all of which point to the premature onset of cardio metabolic disease.

To only begin measuring the BMI of children at school entry is an insult to child health and wellbeing.

Dr Colin Waine  

 

THE National Obesity Forum (NOF) warmly welcomes the publication of today’s cross-departmental obesity strategy. It is a comprehensive approach that for the first time sets out an overarching framework for action across a broad front, and so has potential to help to combat the multiple and complex factors that have contributed to current obesity and overweight levels, particularly amongst children and young people.  We believe that this strategy, supported by investment and backed by a serious commitment to monitor and evaluate progress, is the right way forward, though the NOF is disappointed that legislation to protect children against advertising of nutritionally-dense food has not been strengthened and the issue of food labelling has not been resolved.