The dangers of the ever-expanding global obesity epidemic can no longer be overlooked; Being overweight restricts our body's activity, damages health and shortens life. The health problems caused by excess weight lead to a wide range of debilitating and life-threatening conditions including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, cancers, osteoarthritis, liver and bladder disease, and respiratory and musculoskeletal problems. In addition obesity may lower self-esteem, lead to social discrimination and contribute to mental illness. The stark reality is that overweight and obese people die prematurely.
Obesity represents a growing trend with its incidence having trebled in the last 20 years. England’s share of the global obesity problem amounts to some eight million adults who are classified as obese. In general terms this translates to 56,000 adult men and 50,000 adult women who are overweight or obese in East Surrey3. In children the increasing trend is also evident with percentages of children who are overweight or obese increasing from 20% in 1995 to 25% in 2002.