HSE data have enabled the extent and escalation of obesity within the population to be quantified, drawing the attention of Government and policy-makers to the issue. Importantly, HSE data enabled the quantification of the obesity problem within sub-groups of the population, highlighting the high rates in children and among adults from laos rcs data different socio-economic positions. The Foresight Report, funded by the Government Office for Science, used HSE 1994-2004 data to project population trends to 2050 and examine future impacts on life expectancy and economic costs of overweight and obesity.
Influencing Government policy
HSE measurement data are used by Government to produce evidence-based strategies to combat obesity. The Chief Medical Officer (CMO), the Government’s most senior medical advisor, publishes an annual report to identify priorities in health and recommend action to improve public health. The CMO’s 2011 report used a range of HSE data, including on obesity. The UCL team were responsible for the analyses which identified obesity as one of the main risk factors behind the differences in prevalence of multiple lifestyle risk factors by age and by socio-economic position.