National Obesity Forum - About the NOF

The National Obesity Forum (NOF) was established by medical practitioners in May 2000 to raise awareness of the growing health impact that being overweight or obese was having on patients and the National Health Service (NHS).

The growing prevalence of obesity and its legacy of disease, particularly type II diabetes and heart disease and premature death demands that health care professionals move forward with urgency to prioritise the way in which weight management is delivered.

The NOF is particularly concerned with the lack of focus on prevention and structured management of overweight and obese individuals in primary care and the knock-on effects this has on society. Obesity, as a disease, and as a social-economic issue, has widespread ramifications, not just for the health service, but also for industry, education and government.

To create recognition of obesity as a serious medical problem
To provide education and training on obesity management
To produce guidelines for obesity management within primary care
To provide a network for health professionals and an obesity management support and information resource
To convince Government and healthcare works to give obesity a high priority nationally and locally.
To raise the profile of obesity via medical and lay media channels
To highlight the health inequalities of obesity
To promote quality clinical care via an annual "Best Practice Awards"