RCN voices support for obesity campaign
Published: 25 July 2008
The RCN has welcomed the Government’s call for health charities, retailers, the health profession and community action groups to take part in a national campaign to tackle obesity.
In a major speech on public health the Secretary of State for Health, Alan Johnson outlined the public health implications of an obesity epidemic. He expressed his concern that the children of today may be the first to live shorter lives than their parents if action is not taken. Speaking in London last night, he added:
“Just as the government has a moral duty to tackle poverty and exclusion, so it also has a duty to address obesity. “
The RCN noted that obesity is threatening the health and well-being of two thirds of adults and a third of children in the UK and highlighted the part which RCN members have to play in the campaign. The College also called on the Government to invest in school nursing to enable the issue to be addressed at an early age.
Speaking yesterday (23 July 2008) Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said:
"600 000 nurses from across public and private healthcare, from community midwives to intensive care, have a part to play in educating the public about the dangers of obesity and ways in which they can adopt healthier lifestyles.
If we are to have a long term impact on tackling obesity, it is essential the Government invest in specialists and school nurses who can put children on the right track at an early age.”
The Department of Health reports that without taking action on obesity, the number of adults affected could rise to almost nine in ten adults, and two thirds of children by 2050.
Further information
The RCN press release can be found in the Media centre.
In January 2008, the publication 'Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives' strategy to tackle obesity was published. Read more on the Department of Health website.