Virtual Roundtable Series

As a continuation of its work, the APPG held a Virtual Roundtable Series, with each of the three roundtables focusing on a specific area of obesity policy. The evidence collected from these sessions informed the development of a future policy paper, which will subsequently be submitted to government.

The first roundtable explored the vital connection between minds and mental health, examining how psychological wellbeing, trauma, and stigma shaped people’s experiences of obesity and access to weight management services. Contributors called for mental health support to be embedded across obesity pathways and stressed the need for greater parity of esteem between mental and physical health in policymaking.

The second session focused on public health and prevention, with discussions centred on upstream drivers of obesity, such as food environments, social inequality, and advertising. Stakeholders underscored the importance of a long-term, whole-systems approach, underpinned by cross-departmental leadership and consistent funding to enable sustained change.

The third and final roundtable addressed weight management services- specifically access to weight management services - bringing together individuals with lived experience, healthcare professionals, commissioners, and service providers. The conversation highlighted variation in service provision across ICSs the need for better coordination between tiers of support, and the importance of services that are accessible, equitable, and person-centred.