On 20th May 2024, CHAD and the Faculty of Public Health hosted this webinar that focused on how poverty shapes diet and contributes to obesity, and discussed implications for intervention.
Drawing on extensive knowledge and expertise, Dr Patrick Saunders, Consultant in Public Health, carolan57 Ltd and Visiting Professor in Public Health at Staffordshire University, demonstrated why this is a vital topic for public health and health inequalities. Patrick highlighted the acceptance that diet is an important cause of morbidity and premature mortality, and the evidence that obesity levels are higher in deprived areas. He discussed the importance of looking at the wider environmental context, rather than simply viewing obesity as an individual ‘lifestyle choice’. To support this, Patrick shared findings from research in Sandwell West Midlands that tested food samples from takeaways in the area. Ultimately, the research concluded that people were living in a ‘swamp’ of unhealthy, accessible and cheap takeaways, and a ‘desert’ of healthy options.
Patrick explored the implications of this and discussed a package of interventions. He closed by emphasising the need to address poverty and reduce inequalities.
Over 150 people joined the webinar to hear from Patrick, demonstrating the significance of this topic. Thanks also to Dr Mike Oliver, Health Psychologist and Chartered Psychologist and a Visiting Fellow of Staffordshire University, for chairing the webinar.
View/download the speakers slides here.
A recording of the webinar is available below.
