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Use of data from the H ealth S urvey for E ngland in obesity policy making and monitoring
Author(s) -
Oyebode O.,
Mindell J.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
obesity reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.845
H-Index - 162
eISSN - 1467-789X
pISSN - 1467-7881
DOI - 10.1111/obr.12024
Subject(s) - obesity , medicine , socioeconomic status , gerontology , government (linguistics) , population , environmental health , public health , nursing , linguistics , philosophy
Summary Health data and statistics are the foundation of health policy. Over the last 20 years, numerous government documents have been commissioned and published to inform obesity strategies in the UK . The H ealth S urvey for E ngland, an annual cross‐sectional survey of a nationally representative random general population sample in E ngland, collects information on health, lifestyle and socioeconomic factors, physical measurements and biological samples. Heights and weights measured by the H ealth S urvey for E ngland are believed to have played a major part in promoting, shaping and evaluating obesity strategies. A formal review of how these data have been used has not been conducted previously. This paper reviews government documents demonstrating the contribution of H ealth S urvey for E ngland examination data to every stage of the policy making process: quantifying the obesity problem in E ngland (e.g. C hief M edical O fficer's reports); identifying inequalities in the burden of obesity ( A cheson report); modelling potential future scenarios ( F oresight); setting and monitoring specific, measurable, attainable targets (calorie reduction challenge in manufacturers' R esponsibility D eal); developing and informing strategies and clinical guidance; and evaluating the success of obesity strategies ( H ealthy W eights, H ealthy L ives progress report). Measurement data are needed and used by governments to produce evidence‐based strategies to combat obesity.