Britain’s growing obesity problem could be responsible for nearly 700,000 cases of cancer over the next two decades, according to an analysis published today.
The figure is based on current trends suggesting that nearly 75% of adults will be overweight or obese by 2035.
Preventing just 1% of the population becoming overweight or obese could prevent some 64,000 diagnoses of cancer during this period, the researchers say.
The report has been produced jointly by Cancer Research UK and the UK Health Forum.
It shows that 49% of the UK’s poorest women are expected to be obese by 2035 if the trend is not reversed.
Paul Lincoln, chief executive officer at the UK Health Forum, said: “This report makes a very clear economic case for why we must act now to turn the rising tide of obesity. The government’s planned childhood obesity strategy is a golden opportunity to tackle the availability, affordability and promotion of unhealthy foods that is driving the current crisis in children’s diets.
“This must become part of a broader national action plan on diet and health for the whole population.”
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, a campaigner for healthy eating, said: “We’re raising a generation of children in a society where junk food is cheap, widely advertised, and packed full of sugar so it’s difficult to teach them how to make healthy choices.
“We need to give these kids a chance to be healthier adults – starting with a tax on sugary drinks to tackle obesity and diet-related disease in young people.”
Tipping the scales: why preventing obesity makes economic sense. Cancer Research UK and UK Health Forum Report.
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