3 Changing health-related behaviours; the case of obesity

Improving health often requires people to change their behaviours, such as eating more healthily and being more active. However, these choices are influenced by wider social, economic and environmental factors. This section uses Dahlgren and Whitehead’s model of the social determinants of health to explore the wider causes of obesity. You will examine obesity rates across the UK and consider how individuals, government and industry can work together to support healthier lifestyles and improve public health.