Map of Obesity in Adult Females (% of adult population with BMI 30+) per country. Using data updated until December 2008. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Map of Obesity in Adult Males (% of adult population with BMI 30+) per country. Using data updated until December 2008. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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This is a good article by Julia Manning, Chief Executive of 2020health, and published in the New Statesman.

via New Statesman | Why all new legislation should face an obesity test.

Personally, I think that there is an important political dimension to ‘obesity’ which is not receiving enough focus.

Let’s face it ‘fat-people‘ vote. Also there’s a very effective lobby from the food and drinks industries.

But in countries, where public healthcare is free at source, like the UK, obesity is one of the biggest economic and social risks to society. Public healthcare is already being rationed and those who have payed their taxes, watched their health and diet, all their lives, are being deprived latest medical treatment when needed. Meanwhile, public healthcare is increasingly responding to the escalating crisis of obesity. For this reason alone, the UK’s National Healthcare System needs radical reform – there’s a growing case for public healthcare to be restricted.

With the UK facing a national election in May, what are some of the policy options for politicians who are serious about addressing obesity?

Thoughts?