Many health professionals and Policy-makers stress the importance of prevention- helping people to avoid becoming overweight in the first place- and Weight Concern agrees.
However, because of the rising numbers of obese adults and children, we also believe that more effective treatment options are needed to help those already overweight.
Weight Concern has shown how psychologists, dieticians and exercise specialists working together can help people make the lifestyle changes they want, to control their weight.
The charity is committed to developing and researching new treatments for obesity. It is also working to increase the availability of the successful treatments it has pioneered in the UK:
The charity also works to help people improve their health and feel good about themselves, whatever their weight.
Weight Concern funds some of its activities through project grants and has previously received funding from the Department of Health.
Weight Concern involves a large number of people in its activities.
These include a small staff team, a volunteer Board of Trustees, specialist freelance staff, a large number of volunteers offering their specialist knowledge to the charity's planning committee and project steering groups, and volunteers who fundraise for us regularly or on one-off occasions.
The staff and management team are:
Professor Nick Finer
Obesity Specialist Dietitian - Dr Helen Croker
Health Psychologist - Rebecca Beeken
Research Support & Administrative Assistant - Fran Block
Website & Software - Mark Livermore
Professor Jennifer Hornsby
Professor Martin Jarvis
Helen Croker
Dr Helen Croker
Professor Annie Anderson
Professor John Blundell
Professor Ken Fox
Professor Marion Hetherington
Dr Andrew Hill
Professor Susan Jebb
Dr Mary Rudolf
Professor Andrew Steptoe
Dr Carolyn Summerbell
Professor Janet Treasure
Other aims include:
With the aims of the charity defined, the founders gathered a team of like-minded individuals from a range of different backgrounds and experience.
Members of the Weight Concern team include people who are overweight, clinical and health psychologists, physicians, dieticians, physical activity specialists, public relations, marketing and graphic design professionals, and specialists from other academic backgrounds. During its early years the charity developed:
To build on this, the charity decided to expand its work and held a public launch on 2nd January 2002. Weight Concern won the Small Charity of the Year award 2002. Judges comments:
"Set up to tackle a real social issue which people are only just starting to come to terms with, and is a group which will be around for a long time to come, filling a major need. Already, it shows it is listening to its stakeholders and is taking a sensible approach to dealing with a number of complex and sensitive issues."
Unfortunately the charity suffered a major set back in 2015 with the death of its founder Jane Wardle. This was obviously devastating, but we continue to work towards our aims despite this.
Weight Concern believes the school environment should facilitate healthy growth in pupils. In practice this means:
Weight Concern is opposed to food advertising targeted at children via any media and at any time of the day.
Fat is not an acceptable or useful term for doctors to use in raising the issue of weight. Please click here for our response.
Unfortunately Weight Concern does not provide a helpline. However other organisations may offer this service.
(Please note; Weight Concern cannot take responsibility for information or advice you may receive).
Cardiac nurses and heart health advisors provide answers and advice about heart related queries.
(Lines are open 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday)
Click here for the Heart HelpLine website
Provides help and support for people with diabetes, as well as their family members, carers or friends.
(Lines are open 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday)
Click here for the Diabetes UK Careline website
Provides information and support for people who are affected by eating disorders.
(Lines are open are open 365 days a year: 3pm-10pm)
Click here for the Beat helpline website
Provides advice and information about mobility and independent living for people with disability and elderly people.
(Lines are open 10am-4pm, Monday to Friday)
Click here for the disabled living helpline website
Provides confidential advice and support covering all worries and concerns.
(Lines are open 24 hours a day)
Click here for the Samaritans website
Provides support and advice for carers.
(Lines are open 10am-12pm on Wednesday and 2pm-4pm on Thursday)
Click here for the Carers UK website
Provides help and support for children and young people for any problem.
(Lines are free and open 24 hours a day)
Click here for the childline website
Provides help and advice to children and parents who are suffering from bullying.
(helpline service is open 9am – 9pm, Monday to Friday and 10am – 3pm Saturday and Sunday)
Click here for Bullying UK website
Provides support and information about eating disorders for young people, their friends and family.
(Lines are open 365 days a year: 3pm-10pm)
Click here for Beat-for young people website