Joanna McLaughlin public health academic clinician, Carlos Sillero Rejon senior research associate in health economics, Mike Bell public contributor, Bjoern Schwander health economics consultant, Karen Coulman clinical lecturer, Hugh McLeod senior lecturer in health economics et al
McLaughlin J, Rejon C S, Bell M, Schwander B, Coulman K, McLeod H et al.
Holistic modelling as a catalyst for effective obesity policy
BMJ 2024; 386 :e077139
doi:10.1136/bmj-2023-077139
Re: Holistic modelling as a catalyst for effective obesity policy
Dear Editor
In 1982, as final year medical students, we were treated to an inspirational and witty lecture from Dr Denis Burkitt, talking about, amongst other things, prevention of ill health and the influence of diet and lifestyle. His final slide has lived with me ever since. Two staff car parks at a spanking new hospital - the first full of shiny cars and the second containing a single rusting bike. The notices above the entrances were either ‘Floor Moppers Up’ or ‘Tap Turners Off’. I leave the reader to contemplate which was which.
Whilst we peruse page after page in this and previous editions of proposals for largely unsuccessful adult management of obesity and the costs to individuals, society and the exchequer escalate to eye watering levels, I despair that prevention and early intervention in pre and early school years are still not the overriding top priorities. Bearing in mind that in England up to 21% of children continue to start school either overweight or obese, rising to over 36% by Year 6, it appears that second car park remains empty.
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Competing interests: No competing interests