Everyone deserves to live a long and healthy life. But right now in the UK, almost two-thirds of people are living with excess weight and obesity. These conditions are leading causes of ill health in the UK. They increase the risk of disease and other health problems, reducing quality of life and placing a severe burden on our economy and society.

One of the main causes of the rise in obesity is changes to our food environment: that is, how our food is promoted, advertised and displayed to us, how much it costs us and how convenient it is to buy. Right now, our food environment drives us to over-consume unhealthy food and drink, even though almost all of us want to eat well and be healthy. The most effective way to cut obesity is to change our food environment.

Nesta has identified feasible, viable and acceptable routes for government action, such as introducing mandatory health targets for large grocery retailers. Nesta is also working with innovators and partners across the food system including retailers and eateries to design, test and scale innovative solutions to reducing obesity.