TO BE PUBLISHED May 2026
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This conference will focus on next steps for obesity policy, prevention and care in England.
The discussion will explore latest thinking on how policy, regulation, innovation, healthcare pathways and food systems will need to align and develop to support healthier food environments, reduce prevalence and improve outcomes. Delegates will also discuss strategies for integrating prevention measures more effectively across national and local planning - particularly for communities experiencing the highest levels of obesity.
Overall, the conference will bring together stakeholders and policymakers to discuss approaches to translating policy ambitions into practical measures to improve health outcomes, in the context of ambitions in the NHS 10 Year Health Plan to shift focus towards prevention. It also comes with the Government’s Good Food Cycle strategy outlining priorities for an improved food environment that supports access to safe, affordable, and healthy food, as well as the Health and Social Care Committee conducting an inquiry into food and weight management, examining the effectiveness of current policy approaches and options for strengthening prevention and treatment.
Attendees will consider how responsibilities and expectations for government, industry, the NHS and local authorities can be clarified to support coordinated action on obesity prevention and care. Discussion will also look at clear and workable approaches for developing healthcare pathways and wider interventions that support healthier food environments and improved outcomes.
Innovation, weight-loss medications, prevention approaches & inequalities
Opportunities for innovation and the evolving role of clinical and technological interventions in weight management will be examined. Attendees will consider the potential impact of the Obesity Healthcare Goals Programme and £85m Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme in harnessing investment, cutting-edge research and improving access to obesity treatments and holistic care. This includes how new treatment and technologies - including genomics and personalised preventative care - can be incorporated safely and effectively into care pathways.
Attendees will consider the record so far of the rollout of weight-loss drugs and key emerging issues, including levels of nutritional support, risks of widening inequalities in deprived communities as the private market expands, and concerns for patient safety posed by counterfeit supplies. With calls from England’s Chief Medical Officer for stronger obesity prevention and public health strategies alongside pharmaceutical interventions, strategic approaches to encourage healthier eating and reduce reliance on medications will be explored, including enhancing access to affordable, nutritious foods and strengthening public education.
Support mechanisms for integrated care boards, prescribing incentives for GPs, and co-ordination priorities for medical treatment and prevention pathways will be assessed. Areas for discussion include funding gaps for prevention programmes, workforce readiness, and skills needed for adopting new technologies - including genomics, AI, and wearables - alongside wider system implications, such as governance, data transparency, and interoperability.
Food marketing regulation, advertising & industry practice
Sessions will explore implications of regulatory measures for reformulation, business practice and consumer behaviour - including mandatory healthy food sales reporting, a ban on HFSS food and drink television advertising before 9pm, and extension of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy. Priorities for closing loopholes in advertising and marketing regulations will be discussed, including the way forward for greater clarity on enforcement and compliance - particularly in relation to outdoor advertising and digital and non-traditional channels - and approaches to ensuring that regulatory measures are effective across all communities.
Childhood obesity, place-based strategies & sharing effective practice
The agenda considers what effective prevention looks like, including strategies for addressing system-wide factors influencing childhood obesity. Delegates will examine the potential impact of national commitments, including new guidelines for commercial baby food to reduce salt and sugar and provide clearer labelling, as well as discussing plans to ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to those under 16 years-old.
Scaling up place-based prevention strategies - including the role of free school meals, breakfast clubs, and extracurricular physical activity - will be discussed, including addressing practical challenges for local delivery, such as staffing, resource capacity, and financial pressures. Delegates will also consider priorities for supporting consistent, equitable provision in education, family support, and community settings, alongside co-ordination with wider public health responsibilities and how evidence from local initiatives can be shared across regions and localities to support effective implementation.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those already due to attend include officials from the Department of Health and Social Care; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Department for Science, Innovation and Technology; Department for Business and Trade; Food Standards Agency; Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; the Welsh Government; and The Scottish Government.
