.png)
//About Us
Founded in 2011, the British Obesity Society is a registered UK charity committed to advancing understanding, education, and awareness of obesity. We bring together healthcare professionals, researchers, and organisations with a shared interest in improving how obesity is understood, prevented, and managed. Obesity is a complex and multifactorial condition that affects millions of people across the UK. Our role is to support education, contribute to informed discussion, and promote evidence-based approaches that improve outcomes for individuals and communities.
Our Vision
A society where obesity is understood and addressed with compassion, evidence, and effective support.
Our Mission
To improve understanding and awareness of obesity through education, professional engagement, advocacy, and support for health promotion initiatives.
//Our Work
Education
We support educational events, conferences, and professional learning opportunities to improve knowledge and practice in obesity prevention and management.
Awareness
We contribute to media and public discussions to promote accurate, evidence-based understanding of obesity and to challenge stigma.
Supporting Health Promotion
We fund and support initiatives that align with our charitable objectives, including community programmes, educational events, and public health initiatives.
Professional Engagement
We work with healthcare professionals, researchers, and organisations across the UK to support collaboration and advance understanding in the field of obesity.
//Our Approach
Our work is guided by the following principles:
Evidence-based
We promote approaches grounded in scientific research and best practice.
Compassionate
We recognise the complex and personal nature of obesity and the importance of respectful, non-stigmatising approaches.
Collaborative
We work with professionals and organisations across disciplines.
Independent
As a charity, we are committed to acting in the best interests of public health and education.
//Meet Our Core Team
The British Obesity Society is led by a voluntary Board of Trustees with expertise across healthcare, research, and public health.
Jane DeVille-Almond
President of BOS
Freelance Obesity Specialist Nurse, Academic & Public Speaker
Louise Payne (RNutr)
Co-Chair of BOS
Academic, Registered Nutritionist (Public Health) & Founder of Her Nutritionist UK
Paul Evans (ANutr)
Co-Chair of BOS
Registered Associate Nutritionist, Founder of School Health UK & The Nutritionist UK
Dr Andrew Hartland
Founding Trustee of BOS
Consultant Bariatric Physician and Chemical Pathologist, Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Birmingham Medical School
//Our History
The British Obesity Society was founded in 2011 by Jane DeVille-Almond, an independent nurse consultant, academic, and national leader in obesity and public health.
Prior to establishing the charity, Jane held a number of senior leadership roles within national health organisations. She served as a Director, Trustee, Vice Chair, and Treasurer of the National Obesity Forum, where she contributed to national efforts to improve the prevention and management of obesity and to support healthcare professionals working in the field.
Jane also held senior leadership positions within the Men’s Health Forum, including roles as Director, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and President. During her time with the organisation, she was involved in supporting national men’s health improvement initiatives, including the development and promotion of Men’s Health Week; an annual national awareness campaign dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of men across the UK.
Alongside her charity leadership roles, Jane worked extensively in clinical practice, academia, and public health, delivering men’s health and weight management clinics, contributing to education and training, and supporting national discussions on obesity and health improvement. With over 40 years’ experience in healthcare, education, and public health, she established the British Obesity Society to contribute to improving understanding of obesity and to support education, professional engagement, and health promotion.
Since its formation, the charity has supported a range of educational initiatives, contributed to media discussions, and provided funding for health promotion activities aligned with its charitable aims.
Continuing the Charity's Development
As the field of obesity continues to evolve, the British Obesity Society has welcomed new trustees to support the ongoing development and future direction of the charity. Louise Payne and Paul Evans, both Registered Nutritionists, joined the Board, bringing extensive expertise across nutrition, public health, education, and national health policy.
Louise holds a Master’s degree in Public Health and an undergraduate degree in Nutrition, and has a professional background in higher education as a university lecturer. She currently delivers council-funded Tier 2 weight management services, supporting individuals and communities to improve their health through evidence-based interventions. She is also the founder of HerNutritionist UK, specialising in women’s health, with particular expertise in fertility, reproductive health, pregnancy, and menopause. Her work focuses on addressing the complex biological, social, and environmental factors influencing weight and health across the female life course.
Paul Evans holds a Master’s degree in Nutrition and is the founder of School Health UK, a national initiative working with schools to improve children’s nutrition, health, and the wider school food environment. His work has supported schools, local authorities, and organisations across the UK to develop sustainable, health-promoting approaches that improve outcomes for children and young people.
Collectively, they have contributed to national discussions and policy development relating to obesity and public health. This includes involvement in All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) focused on obesity, school food, and women’s health, and contributing to consultations and guideline development, including work informing NICE guidance and wider public health policy. Together, they bring contemporary expertise in clinical practice, public health, education, and policy, and are committed to building on the charity’s strong foundations.
Their leadership supports the charity’s continued role in advancing education, contributing to national discussion, and addressing emerging priority areas, including women’s health and obesity across the life course. The charity is now entering a new phase of development, with growing focus on emerging areas of need and strengthening its contribution to improving understanding of obesity across the UK.
//Get in Touch
We welcome enquiries from healthcare professionals, researchers, organisations, and media.