Public health initiative aims to give people the tools to lose weight and increase activity

Four adults in 10 in England say they have put on weight since the first Covid-19 lockdown was implemented in March 2020, according to the results of a survey conducted for Public Health England (PHE).

On average, the adults whose weight rose gained about half a stone (4.1kg), with one in five (21 per cent) reporting putting on a stone or more. In those aged from 35 to 65 years, the average weight gained rose to more than 10lbs (4.6kg).

In response to findings of this and other surveys, PHE launched the latest ‘Better Health’ campaign today (26 July) in a bid to encourage adults to shed excess weight, eat more healthily and become more active in the coming months.