ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the role of policy in directing health strategy and, through an analysis of activity within the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Commission and our own government, provides the context for the activity which is now being seen at a local level. It highlights a tension between the recognition that men have a specific problem with being overweight and obese – and hence the need for gender-sensitive policy – and the traditional population-based approach. Indeed many of the policymakers over the centuries were themselves male and overweight and it could be argued that they would be unlikely to impose health policy against their own way of life. The implications of weight problems and obesity to the health of a large proportion of the world population have only become apparent to policymakers. It is interesting to dwell on the impact of all this policy on the individual practitioner's management of the overweight and obese patient.
