Obesity and Physical Activity JSNA

Evidence base

Issue number 1 = highest priority
1	Source	NICE
	Title incl. web link	Overweight and obesity management Overview \| Overweight and obesity management \| Guidance \| NICE
	Summary	NICE guidance emphasizes a person-centred, non-stigmatizing approach to obesity management. It highlights the importance of considering socioeconomic status, ethnicity, mental health, and lived experiences when discussing weight. Tailored Interventions: Recommendations include adapting services for people from ethnic minority backgrounds and those facing financial constraints or social complexity (e.g., looked-after children). Multidisciplinary Support: NICE encourages integrated care involving dietitians, psychologists, and community services to address the broader determinants of health.
	Source	Medscape UK
	Title incl. web link	Overweight and Obesity Management: Adults Overweight and Obesity, Adults: Management
	Summary	Hospital Admissions: Obesity-related admissions are 2.4 times higher in the most deprived areas. The NHS spent £6.5 billion on obesity-related illness in 2022, projected to rise to £9.7 billion by 2050. Whole-System Approach: The NHS is encouraged to work with local partners to deliver targeted interventions, including weight management programmes and community-based support.
2	Source	NICE
	Title incl. web link	Overweight and obesity management Overview \| Overweight and obesity management \| Guidance \| NICE
	Summary	Holistic approach – emphasises non-stigmatising, person-centred care considering socioeconomic status, ethnicity and family context. School & Nursery Interventions which include promoting healthy eating and physical activity in early years settings. Encourages multidisciplinary support between healthcare professionals, schools and community services.
	Source	OHID
	Title incl. web link	Childhood obesity: applying All Our Health Childhood obesity: applying All Our Health - GOV.UK
	Summary	Advocates for action across the child life course: preconception and pregnancy infancy and early childhood older childhood and adolescence transition into independent adulthood Healthcare professionals and the wider public health workforce should: know the needs of individuals, communities and population and the services available think about the resources available in health and wellbeing systems understand specific activities that can prevent, protect and promote Advises: encouraging schools to register with the Change4Life School Zone encourage schools to work proactively with the National Child Measurement Programme offer evidence-based advice to increase activity throughout the school day support schools to adopt healthy eating policies support the development of school policies on bullying related to obesity and weight and more.
3	Source	NICE
	Title incl. web link	Physical Activity Physical activity \| Topic \| NICE Physical activity and the environment Overview \| Physical activity and the environment \| Guidance \| NICE
	Summary	NICE provides 11 guidelines and 3 quality standards on physical activity, covering healthcare, community, and environmental interventions. Environmental Design (NG90): Recommends improving public spaces, transport infrastructure, and building design to encourage walking, cycling, and active lifestyles.
	Source	Obesity Health Alliance
	Title incl. web link	Empowering Communities To Promote Health: Stopping New Hot Food Takeaways From Targeting Children Empowering Communities To Promote Health: Stopping New Hot Food Takeaways From Targeting Children - Obesity Health Alliance
	Summary	National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (2024 update): Local authorities are now explicitly empowered to refuse planning applications for hot food takeaways: Within walking distance of schools or youth spaces (unless in designated town centres). In areas where there is evidence of adverse health, pollution, or anti-social behaviour impacts. This marks a shift from simply “supporting healthy lifestyles” to actively preventing ill-health through planning. Local Authority Action: Councils like Gateshead have successfully used planning policies to reduce fast-food outlet density, leading to lower childhood obesity rates in deprived areas. Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) are increasingly used to restrict new takeaways near schools and in high-density zones.