Small steps, big changes

Obesity is a global public health problem that contributes to poor health and reduced quality of life for many.¹ Average body weights have been increasing and obesity rates have been rising in most countries in the world over the past three decades in adults and children.^1-4 While there is some indication that rates have levelled off they remain high. In the US, about 35 per cent of the adult population are obese and another third are overweight.^1-4 In the UK, adult obesity is increasing. In 2011, 26 per cent of men and 29 per cent of women were obese.⁵ Despite clear recognition of the problem obesity presents to health and quality of life, efforts to reduce obesity have not met with any wide-scale success.