Citerank: (10) 340964Tackling obesity in the UKWith concern growing that the Foresight analysis—that 50% of the UK population could be obese by 2050, at an annual cost to the nation of around £50 billion per year [2]—substantially underestimates the scale of the unfolding obesity crisis, the College of Contemporary Health is working with the wider policy community to develop a whole systems map of the obesity crisis and the potential responses.7F1CEB7, 348675Adopt a whole systems approach to obesityTackling obesity effectively—accomplishing a population wide-shift—requires a comprehensive and integrated whole systems approach, involving a range of measures focusing on individuals, social and other systems, including at the local and community level, and on the interrelated physical, physiological, social and cognitive factors that determine health outcomes.565CA4D9, 372559Improve collaboration across organisational boundariesEffective collaboration across organisational boundaries is vital to achieving and sustaining constructive progress in the face of complex, systemic problems—and to leveraging the energy, insight and resources distributed across the network of organisations to maximum effect.565CA4D9, 374621Obesity harms children and young people648CC79C, 374635Birmingham's Be Active ProgrammeBirmingham's Be Active Programme returned on average £21.3, and up to £23 in benefits for every £1 spent in terms of improved quality of life, reduced NHS use, productivity and other gains to the local authority.62C78C9A, 399547Adopt a whole systems approach to obesityTackling obesity effectively—accomplishing a population wide-shift—requires a comprehensive and integrated whole systems approach, involving a range of measures focusing on individuals, social and other systems, including at the local and community level, and on the interrelated physical, physiological, social and cognitive factors that determine health outcomes.565CA4D9, 399563Improve collaboration across organisational boundariesEffective collaboration across organisational boundaries is vital to achieving and sustaining constructive progress in the face of complex, systemic problems—and to leveraging the energy, insight and resources distributed across the network of organisations to maximum effect.565CA4D9, 399603Glasgow Health WalksIn 2011–12 the Glasgow Health Walks project led to a return on investment of £8 for every £1 spent.62C78C9A, 399604Birmingham's Be Active ProgrammeBirmingham's Be Active Programme returned on average £21.3, and up to £23 in benefits for every £1 spent in terms of improved quality of life, reduced NHS use, productivity and other gains to the local authority.62C78C9A, 399996Obesity harms children and young people648CC79C

Paths for All commissioned this Social Return on Investment (SROI) study to analyse the impact of the Glasgow Health Walk programme between April 2011 and March 2012.

The headline finding is powerful, revealing that for every £1 invested in Health Walks in Glasgow, there were £8 of benefits generated for society.

The research analysed the impact of the Walk Glasgow project which develops and promotes walking opportunities across the city, through delivery of Health Walks, which are short, free, gentle walks led by trained Volunteer Walk Leaders. We deliver this valuable service together with a range of partners including Glasgow Life, North Glasgow Healthy Living Community, Paths for All, and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

The social return on investment (SROI) analysis looked at the impact of the Health Walk programme and assigned a monetary value to the changes it created.

The findings are compelling, not only proving that investment in the programme is sound, but also giving a rich picture of the multiple social benefits experienced by walkers and volunteers. Health Walks are proven to make people fitter, healthier and happier.