Everyone deserves to live a long and healthy life, yet around two- thirds of UK adults are living with excess weight and obesity, increasing their risk of developing a range of chronic health conditions such as cancer and diabetes. Additionally, UK levels of childhood obesity are among the highest in Europe, affecting one in five primary school children. Beyond the human impact, obesity costs the NHS over £12 billion annually and reduces UK economic productivity by £31 billion.

This doubling of obesity rates over the last 30 years is not due to a loss of collective willpower, but driven by changes in our food environment: how our food is advertised, promoted, and displayed, priced and how convenient it is to buy. Our surroundings drive us to over-consume unhealthy food and drink, even though almost all of us want to eat well and be healthy. To turn the tide on obesity, we need governments to take urgent action.