| Summary: | <p>In most high-income countries, we eat too much. Looking around the world, it seems that obesity parallels economic development. Within countries, there is a more mixed picture, but there are few people who actively choose to become overweight. Indeed, weight gain has occurred against a strong cultural pressure to be slim, widespread knowledge of the harms of being overweight, and many people spending time and money actively trying to control their weight. The Health Survey for England suggests almost half the adult population are trying to lose weight at any one time [1]. Yet, despite this, there is a persistent belief among the public and policymakers that the solution is more education and urging people to make the right choices.</p>
<p>Public health prevention policies should not be confused with interventions to support meaningful weight loss treatment for people living with obesity. The latter is best achieved with individual support and specific weight loss programmes. But successful prevention of weight primary weight gain or secondary regain will also be supported by an environment which does not encourage overconsumption.</p>
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