New Toolkit Launch: Evaluating Policies to Tackle Obesity

A new toolkit has been launched to evaluate the impact and cost of various policies aimed at reducing obesity. Developed through a two-year collaboration with academic experts from obesity, health, and the food system, Nesta’s Blueprint for Halving Obesity offers an evidence-based approach to identifying the most effective strategies for tackling obesity in the UK.

For the first time, this toolkit enables the comparison of different policy solutions, providing clear insights into the most effective routes to pursue and the associated implementation costs, based on the strength of evidence regarding what works.

Key Insights from the Toolkit:

• Halving UK obesity rates is achievable with an investment of less than £3 billion over 5 years, which could generate annual benefits worth £30 billion to society.
• Successful strategies must include incentives for food businesses to sell healthier products, through tax or regulation, and provide treatment to those in greatest need.
• Focusing solely on information, education, and voluntary action will not deliver the necessary results.

Find Out More:

• Explore the Toolkit: Gain access to detailed insights and comparisons of policy options.
• Read the Policy Brief: A summary of key findings and recommendations.
• Join the Webinar: On 3 December, from 12:00-13:00, to hear from the team behind the toolkit and discuss future actions.

The toolkit highlights that with the right ambition and evidence-based strategies, real and equitable progress on obesity is within reach. Collaboration with central, devolved, and local governments is crucial to developing a policy package with the highest chance of success.