Richard Baker, Wattbike CEO
The urgency of tackling the obesity time bomb has been highlighted by evidence of the link to an increased risk of COVID-19 complications and death. A major new campaign, unveiled as part of the government’s new obesity strategy, aims to encourage millions of adults to kick start their health, lose weight and reduce their risk of serious illness, including COVID-19.
Commenting on this agenda, Richard Baker, Wattbike CEO says: “It’s good to see the government taking a stronger stand against obesity, but disappointing to see their campaign focusing on losing weight, with no mention whatsoever about physical exercise.
“Greater awareness of what we consume is an essential factor in weight loss but not the only factor. We know that to win the battle in the long-term, there need to be maintained lifestyle changes, of which exercise is an essential behaviour to incorporate into everyday life.
“Obesity is closely related to inflammatory diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiorespiratory disease and we know that exercise is the medicine that can mitigate against these risks, so it’s disappointing that there’s no mention of exercise within this campaign.”
“It’s good to see the government taking a stronger stand against obesity, but disappointing there’s no mention whatsoever in their campaign about physical exercise”
Huw Edwards, CEO at ukactive, said: “We’re in a health crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating the long-term health problems we have in this country, that stem from not being active enough.
“Being physically active can improve people’s resilience and outcomes in relation to disease, as well as benefitting their overall physical and mental health.
“The government needs to look beyond a campaign based on weight loss and also focus on how exercise can make people healthier, happier and stronger.”