Obesity Alliance Cymru: Myth Busting Prevention and Obesity Policies

Wales is facing a public health crisis. Rates of overweight and obesity are climbing, resulting in diet related ill health across the population. Obesity costs the Welsh economy an estimated £3 billion per year and is exacerbating huge avoidable pressures facing our NHS. Excess weight leads to a large number of diseases that cause significant mortality and morbidity, including type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), liver disease, many types of cancer, musculoskeletal conditions and poor mental health.

This paper aims to set out the health and economic benefits of continuing to fund public health interventions even in difficult economic climates, and challenges some of the negative media messaging around population health measures.