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//Our Work
We support a range of initiatives to improve understanding of obesity, raise awareness, and contribute to public health. Here are some highlights of our recent work.
Excited to be sponsoring MANikin for another year​
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​The British Obesity Society is proud to continue its sponsorship of Saltire Sky Theatre and their acclaimed production MANikin for another year. MANikin is a powerful Scottish theatre production that explores obesity, body image, stigma, and mental health through the story of Fraser Patterson, offering an honest and deeply human perspective on the realities many people face. The production has received critical acclaim for its compassionate portrayal of obesity and the social challenges surrounding it. Our continued partnership reflects the British Obesity Society’s commitment to improving understanding of obesity through education, awareness, and meaningful public engagement. By supporting projects such as MANikin, we hope to encourage more open conversations, challenge stigma, and help audiences better understand the complex realities surrounding obesity and wellbeing. We are delighted to support Saltire Sky Theatre once again and look forward to seeing MANikin continue to inspire, educate, and connect with audiences across the UK. Find out more here.
Focusing on MORE in Somerset
We are delighted to be supporting a public health initiative in Somerset called Focusing on MORE, a collaborative health promotion project co-developed by a Registered Nutritionist within the Public Health team at Somerset Council and a Dietitian at NHS Somerset.
The initiative aims to empower Somerset residents to make small, achievable changes that support healthier eating and improved long-term health. It is evidence-based and designed to cut through confusion around nutrition.
Rather than focusing on restriction, calorie counting or diet labels, Focusing on MORE encourages people to include more of the foods that are naturally linked to good health, such as whole and minimally processed plant foods.
This approach aligns closely with the British Obesity Society’s commitment to evidence-based, prevention-focused strategies that support healthier dietary patterns, reduce health inequalities, and promote sustainable behaviour change rather than short-term or restrictive dieting approaches. Find out more here.
Supporting Health in Stonehouse, Plymouth: Improve My Health
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The British Obesity Society is proud to fund Improve My Health, a lifestyle medicine programme led by Dr Sue Law, addressing persistent health inequalities in the Stonehouse community. Residents in Stonehouse experience shorter lifespans and higher rates of long-term conditions compared to more affluent areas, with many years spent in poor health.Improve My Health takes a community-led approach, combining clinical expertise with peer support through group clinics, workshops, and one-to-one sessions. The programme targets the root causes of chronic disease across six key areas: nutrition, movement, sleep, mental wellbeing, relationships, and reducing risky behaviours. By providing accessible, practical, and evidence-based interventions, it empowers participants to make sustainable behaviour changes that improve their overall health and wellbeing. With funding from the British Obesity Society, the programme will reach 240 participants through 16 group clinics, focusing particularly on those with the greatest need. Delivered in partnership with Nudge, a community organisation that activates local spaces and opportunities, the initiative demonstrates the power of collaboration in tackling health inequalities. This partnership highlights our commitment to supporting innovative, community-led solutions that improve engagement, wellbeing, and long-term health outcomes in underserved populations.
Day in Parliament – Obesity APPG, Monday 2nd March 2026
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On Monday 2nd March, we attended the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Obesity for a panel discussion and drop-in reception marking World Obesity Day, held in the Attlee Suite at Portcullis House, Westminster. The event focused on digital weight management services, NHS system reform, and equitable access to care.
The session, chaired by Mary Glindon MP, included contributions from senior clinicians, patient representatives, and policymakers. Key discussions covered findings from the APPG’s forthcoming policy paper on digital weight management, new FOI data highlighting national variation in service access, the role of digital services within NHS pathways and Integrated Care System (ICS) commissioning, and the implications of NHS structural reforms for obesity prevention and treatment.
The panel was followed by a moderated Q&A and a parliamentary drop-in reception, where attendees, including MPs, engaged informally to discuss opportunities for policy action. The day reinforced the importance of equitable, evidence-based, and accessible obesity care across the UK.
Jane DeVille-Almond featured on MIMS Learning Clinical Update podcast
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Jane DeVille‑Almond, President of the British Obesity Society, recently joined the MIMS Learning Clinical Update podcast to discuss the important link between obesity and malnutrition.
Jane highlighted that malnutrition can occur in people living with obesity, particularly where diets lack essential nutrients or during treatment with weight-loss medications without appropriate nutritional support.
The podcast reinforces the Society’s commitment to improving understanding of obesity as a complex condition and promoting high-quality, compassionate, and nutritionally informed care.
Supporting World Heart Day 2024: Community Health Promotion Event in Birmingham​
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The British Obesity Society was proud to fund and support a health promotion event for World Heart Day 2024 at Birmingham City Football Club, in partnership with Pumping Marvellous, Birmingham City Council, the NHS, the Integrated Care Board (ICB), and BeeZee Birmingham (Maximus UK).
The event brought together healthcare professionals, community organisations, and the public to raise awareness of cardiovascular health and the lifestyle factors that influence it, including nutrition, physical activity, and weight management. NHS teams were on site providing advice, health checks, and information on local services, while attendees could engage with a range of organisations supporting long-term wellbeing.
The event was also covered by ITV Central News, helping to reach a wider audience and highlight the importance of prevention and heart health. Hosting the day at Birmingham City Football Club provided an accessible, welcoming environment, encouraging participation from a broad cross-section of the local community.
This initiative reflects the British Obesity Society’s commitment to supporting community-based health promotion and collaborative approaches to improving public health outcomes.
Supporting Manikin – Saltire Sky Theatre
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The British Obesity Society donated to and partnered with Satire Sky Theatre to support Manikin, a thought-provoking theatre production exploring men’s experiences of body image, weight, and health.
The production highlighted the often-overlooked challenges men face in relation to body image and wellbeing, including stigma, societal expectations, and the impact these can have on both physical and mental health. Through performance and storytelling, Manikin encouraged open discussion around men’s health and weight, helping to raise awareness in an accessible and engaging way.
Our support for this initiative reflects the charity’s commitment to promoting wider understanding of obesity, including the social and psychological factors involved, and supporting innovative approaches that engage communities beyond traditional healthcare settings.
Partnering with MyFitnessPal to Support People Using GLP-1 Medications
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The British Obesity Society partnered with MyFitnessPal as part of a national awareness campaign focused on supporting individuals using GLP-1 medications for weight management.
As part of this collaboration, MyFitnessPal made a generous donation to support the Society’s charitable work. In return, the British Obesity Society provided expert input to help raise awareness of the importance of nutritional guidance and behavioural support alongside weight-loss medications.
Representatives from the Society appeared on national television, including ITV’s Good Morning Britain, to discuss the rapid rise in GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, and the need to ensure individuals receive safe, evidence-based support whilst using these treatments.
This work also highlighted the role of digital tools, such as MyFitnessPal, in helping individuals monitor their nutrition, protein intake, hydration, and lifestyle behaviours whilst on medication. Evidence shows that GLP-1 medications are most effective when combined with ongoing lifestyle support, including nutrition and behaviour change, rather than being used in isolation.
This partnership reflects the Society’s commitment to ensuring that emerging treatments are supported by appropriate education, responsible messaging, and practical tools to help people protect their health and wellbeing.
Speaking at Diabetes Professional Care – Olympia London
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In October 2024, the British Obesity Society partnered with and participated in the Diabetes Professional Care Conference at Olympia London, one of the UK’s leading events for healthcare professionals in diabetes and related conditions.
Our Founder, Jane DeVille‑Almond, delivered a keynote titled “Double trouble – men and obesity,” exploring the challenges men face with body weight, health behaviours, and accessing care, and highlighting the importance of gender-sensitive approaches to obesity and metabolic health.
The conference brought together clinicians, dietitians, researchers, and policymakers, providing a platform for the charity to share expertise and contribute to national discussions on obesity, diabetes, and integrated, person-centred care.
This engagement reflects the British Obesity Society’s ongoing commitment to professional education and collaborative initiatives that improve understanding of obesity and related long-term conditions.
Get in Touch
We welcome enquiries from healthcare professionals, researchers, organisations, and media.
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