Pe Funding And The True Cost Of Obesity | Letter

The imaginable cuts to Whitehall’s beingness acquisition backing near 1 misty-eyed for that jargonistic catchphrase of nan Blair era: joined-up authorities (Government statement breaks retired complete scheme to trim spending for PE successful England’s schools, 27 January).

Coincidentally, your communicative appeared hours aft nan NHS published information from its Health Survey England. Inevitably, nan 2024 information revealed different emergence successful nan percent of adults successful England who were obese aliases overweight – reaching 66%, compared pinch 53% successful 1993. About 30% of adults were obese. The study again illustrated nan links betwixt deprivation, obesity and ill-health.

As nan study noted, it is estimated that obesity and related illnesses costs nan NHS £6.5bn successful 2022. However, nan economical and societal costs are overmuch greater than that. It is simply a important facet successful nan surging health/disability-related benefits measure arsenic group time off nan workforce early – distorting section labour markets and shrinking nan taxation guidelines needed to meet those rising use costs. The authorities really needs to study that prevention – including inculcating a emotion of beingness activity – is amended than cure.
Prof Les Mayhew
Bayes Business School