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National Obesity Awareness Week
January 10 - January 16
About National Obesity Awareness Week
National Obesity Awareness Week 2026 takes place from Saturday 10 January to Friday 16 January 2026. The annual UK awareness campaign is run on behalf of the National Obesity Forum and is timed for the start of the new year, when more people are open to changes in diet, exercise, and lifestyle. Clinicians, charities, and employers use the week to share evidence-based information and to push for better policy on one of the country’s most pressing public health issues.
What is National Obesity Awareness Week?
National Obesity Awareness Week is a UK awareness and education campaign focused on obesity and its impact on individual and public health. It is led by the National Obesity Forum, a charity of healthcare professionals dedicated to obesity prevention and management, and is supported by the British Liver Trust, royal medical colleges, NHS trusts, and workplace wellbeing providers.
When is National Obesity Awareness Week?
National Obesity Awareness Week 2026 runs from Saturday 10 January to Friday 16 January 2026. The week is held annually in early to mid-January, deliberately timed to follow new year and to support the surge of public interest in healthy lifestyle changes.
Why National Obesity Awareness Week Matters
Obesity is one of the largest public health challenges facing the UK. According to the latest Health Survey for England, approximately 64 percent of adults in England are overweight or living with obesity, with 26 percent of adults living with obesity. Obesity increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, several cancers, liver disease, joint problems, and poor mental health, and is estimated by the National Audit Office to cost the NHS more than GBP 6 billion per year. National Obesity Awareness Week exists to share practical, non-judgemental information about prevention, treatment, and the structural factors, including food environments and physical activity opportunities, that shape people’s choices.
How to Get Involved in National Obesity Awareness Week
The week is designed to be approachable. Try one or several of the following:
- Cook more at home – Home-cooked meals are typically lower in calories, fat, salt, and sugar than ready meals or takeaways. Plan three or four cooked meals for the week.
- Take small daily steps – The campaign emphasises modest, sustained change rather than crash diets. A daily walk, swap of sugary drinks for water, or extra portion of vegetables adds up.
- Speak to your GP – If you are concerned about your weight, book a GP appointment or use NHS digital tools to check your BMI and waist measurement. Many areas have NHS-funded weight management programmes.
- Use the NHS Better Health resources – The free NHS Better Health website includes a 12-week weight loss plan, a Couch to 5K running programme, and tools for cutting back on smoking and alcohol.
- Run a workplace event – Use the week to launch a step challenge, lunchtime walking group, or cookery demonstration in the office. Many employers provide subsidised gym access or wellbeing apps.
- Be kind in conversation – Stigma is a major barrier to seeking help. The week is a chance to model respectful, non-judgemental conversations about weight and health.
- Support school-based work – Programmes such as the Daily Mile, Healthy Start, and the Sugar Smart campaign support children’s health. Volunteer or donate where you can.
- Engage with policy – The Obesity Health Alliance and other campaigning groups push for advertising restrictions, food reformulation, and active travel investment. Contact your MP about the issues that matter to you.
History of National Obesity Awareness Week
National Obesity Awareness Week was launched in 2014 by the National Obesity Forum. The forum was founded in 2000 by leading UK clinicians who were frustrated that obesity, despite being a major driver of disease, was given little space in mainstream public health campaigns. The week was designed as a focal point for the forum’s year-round work and quickly attracted support from royal medical colleges, hospital trusts, and the British Liver Trust.
Each year the week has explored a different angle on obesity, from childhood obesity and the food environment to the link between obesity and liver disease, mental health, and cancer. The week now sits within a wider UK obesity policy landscape that includes the soft drinks industry levy, calorie labelling on menus, restrictions on the placement of unhealthy food in supermarkets, and ongoing debate about advertising restrictions.
In recent years the campaign has also taken a more holistic and stigma-aware approach, recognising that body weight is shaped by genetic, environmental, and social factors as well as individual behaviour, and that compassion and accessible support work better than blame.
Noteworthy Facts About National Obesity Awareness Week
- National Obesity Awareness Week was launched in 2014 by the National Obesity Forum, a UK charity founded in 2000.
- Around 64 percent of adults in England are overweight or living with obesity, according to the Health Survey for England.
- The National Audit Office has estimated the cost of obesity to the NHS at more than GBP 6 billion a year.
- The UK soft drinks industry levy, introduced in 2018, is widely credited with reducing the sugar content of soft drinks rather than reducing sales.
- Obesity increases the risk of at least 13 types of cancer, including bowel, breast, and pancreatic cancer, according to Cancer Research UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Obesity Awareness Week?
It is a UK awareness week organised by the National Obesity Forum, focused on raising awareness of obesity, sharing practical health advice, and pushing for better policy and public health support.
When is National Obesity Awareness Week in 2026?
National Obesity Awareness Week 2026 runs from Saturday 10 January to Friday 16 January 2026.
Who organises National Obesity Awareness Week?
The week is organised on behalf of the National Obesity Forum, a UK charity made up of clinicians dedicated to obesity prevention and management.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing National Obesity Awareness Week with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #NOAW2026 and #ObesityAwarenessWeek on social media. The more people who have access to compassionate, evidence-based information, the better the outcomes for individuals and the NHS.
Related Awareness Days
- Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week – Closely linked to obesity, with overlapping prevention strategies.
- World Wellbeing Week – The summer wellbeing week covering broader health and lifestyle themes.
- Love Your Lungs Week – A connected campaign on respiratory health that often references the impact of weight on breathing.
Links
2026 Awareness Days Wall Planner
Every key awareness day at a glance. Perfect for offices, staff rooms, and team planning.
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