Reframing Obesity: Building Skills, Building Britain examines one of the UK’s most persistent and misunderstood public health challenges, asking not just how obesity is treated, but how it is defined, discussed, and addressed across the system. Drawing on insights from the NHS Innovation Sprint and cross-sector leaders, the report explores the disconnect between growing evidence and fragmented delivery.
Moving beyond traditional narratives, it sets out a more holistic view of obesity as a complex, chronic condition shaped by biological, social, and environmental factors. Through real-world case studies, lived experience, and system-level analysis, the report highlights where current approaches fall short and where opportunities for more coordinated action are emerging.
At its core, the report provides a practical lens on how policy, services, and culture intersect—offering a grounded perspective on what it will take to move from isolated interventions to a more coherent, compassionate, and effective national response.
Here are the key contributors and participants referenced in the report:
Core contributors / leadership
- Rt Hon Andrew Stephenson CBE (Chair, Curia Health, Care and Life Sciences Research Group – Sprint facilitator)
- Emmerline Irving (Head of Improving Population Health, West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership – co-led the sprint)
Participants (selected list from attendees section)
- Amanda Lilley-Kelly – Humber & North Yorkshire Health & Care Partnership (IRIS)
- Chris Marriott – City of Doncaster Council
- Lisa Buchanan – West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership
- Megan Nippers – Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust
- Daniel Fitzgerald – NHS South Yorkshire ICB
- Adele Bunch – Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber
- Louise Weatherley – NHS South Yorkshire ICB
- Emm Irving – NHS South Yorkshire ICB
- Ben Howlett – Curia
- Lisa Rickers – Ultra BiOmics
- Paul Gately – Obesity UK / Morelife UK Ltd
- Dr Jonathan Andrews – NHS / Ted’s Health / HeliosX / Shoorah / Evida
- Mitul Gandhi – ORA
- Niamh Sullivan – Parachute MH Ltd
- Michael Wakeman – Vitmedics Ltd
- Andrew Tasker – Viveca Biomed
- Sara Shirali – Boehringer Ingelheim
Additional research input
- Katie Simpson (Brightsparks Insights) – led the More Than Weight 2025 study referenced in the report.
