During her career, Anne Diamond has helped launch awareness drives concerning cervical cancer screening, autism, dyslexia and vaccination programmes. Her proudest achievement was the spearheading of the 1991 “Back To Sleep” campaign to prevent cot death, which earned her the Medal of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. She is the only non-medic to ever receive this accolade.

 

The NOF was established by clinicians in late 2000 to raise awareness of the growing health impact that being overweight or obese was having on patients and the National Health Service (NHS).  Ms. Diamond’s role will be to increase awareness of the growing prevalence of obesity and its dangers, and to call for urgent action from health care professionals so that sufferers can be helped.

 

Announcing the appointment, Dr. Colin Waine, Chair of the National Obesity Forum said today, ”The National Obesity Forum is delighted to announce that Anne Diamond has kindly agreed to become a valued patron.  We look forward to working in collaboration with her to tackle issues relating to obesity and its impact on health and health resources.”

 

Anne Diamond said, “I am delighted to become Patron of the NOF, and I hope to help make a difference. What we need is greater understanding from the medical establishment, action from the politicians, and compassionate help for the individuals whose lives are being impaired and shortened by this debilitating condition. It’s not a laughing matter, it’s an enormous tragedy in the making. I used to be known as the “elfin queen of breakfast television”, so if obesity happened to me it can happen to almost anyone! I am gradually winning the war against fat, and I hope to help others, too.”