The RCP has welcomed some of the measures announced in the government's new obesity strategy but is concerned that there is too much focus on individual responsibility.
Professor Andrew Goddard, president of the Royal College of Physicians said:
“While the strategy isn’t as all-encompassing as we'd hoped for, it does take some significant strides forward. The moves to reduce unhealthy product promotions and action on junk food advertising are welcome and will make a real difference.
"But we know that obesity is the result of biological, genetic and social factors, and yet the strategy has not placed equal emphasis on responding to each of these.
"There is a risk that we once again fall into the trap of mainly focusing on individual responsibility. We’ve been down this path before and it doesn’t work. We know the key to success in addressing obesity and other health inequalities lies in shared responsibility between individuals and the state.
"The lack of impetus on expanding access to NICE approved treatments is a missed opportunity. COVID-19 has shown us that we have no time to wait.
"With that in mind, we’ll be encouraging the Government to go further and faster."
