By Dr Senthil Senniappan, Liverpool Obesity Research Network.       

World Obesity Day takes place every year in March and sees organisations come together to help build happier, healthier lives for everybody. 

Obesity is a major public health concern. COVID-19 has contributed to increased obesity, which in turn increases the risk of serious ill health and morbidity related to the infection.

Physical activity has reduced and food security has been threatened. Mental health issues have been exacerbated. 

People living in deprived areas are more than twice as likely to have obesity. In Liverpool, 29.5 per cent of children aged four to five and 48 per cent of those aged between ten and 11 have body mass index levels in the overweight range or above. 

It is a complex and multidimensional issue that has, among other things, biological, genetic, psychological and social determinants.

We need advocates from all walks of society to address these issues. Our policies should be robust enough to create a healthy environment prioritising obesity as a health issue to build the right support systems. We need to involve politicians, local authorities, universities, health providers and patient representatives.

Practical solutions are urgently needed to help people achieve and maintain a healthy weight, undertake proper treatment, and reverse the obesity crisis. 

Recently, colleagues from the Liverpool City Region came together to launch the Liverpool Obesity Research Network (LORN), aimed at improving research in understanding the barriers and challenges related to tackling obesity. 

LORN incorporates colleagues from The University of Liverpool, The Royal Liverpool Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool Health Partners, primary care and LFC Foundation to name a few. It will act as a platform to bring together all parties interested in promoting healthy weight.

There is a lot to do but together we can certainly make a difference. 

To find out more about LORN please contact Senthil.Senniappan@alderhey.nhs.uk