Why TDRs and MRPs are needed to tackle the UK obesity crisis
Posted On: 2nd September 2024
Obesity rates in England have grown exponentially over the past decades. Currently, 26.2% of women and 26.4% of men in England are estimated to have obesity, a significant increase compared to 1980, when 9% of women and 6% of men had obesity. This surge is linked to severe health issues, including cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. In 2021, the cost of obesity to the UK economy was estimated at an astounding £98 billion, equivalent to almost 4% of the national GDP.
As the new UK Government looks to take decisive action following the general election, Total Diet and Meal Replacements Europe (TDMR Europe) emphasises the crucial importance of incorporating Total Diet Replacement Products (TDRs) and Meal Replacement Products (MRPs) into a holistic strategy to address the obesity crisis. By providing a structured, nutrient-dense approach, TDRs and MRPs offer a cost-effective solution to tackle obesity and improve related health issues.
What Are TDRs and MRPs?
TDRs are comprehensive programmes that replace the entire daily diet with formula foods, designed to provide complete nutrition while facilitating significant weight loss. Whereas MRPs replace one or two meals a day and are used alongside regular food as part of a calorie-restricted diet. Both methods are pivotal in diabetes remission programmes and are gaining traction globally. TDRs and MRPs are crucial for providing the initial phase of safe, rapid, and effective weight loss in these programmes.
Our Call to Action
TDMR Europe urges UK policymakers to adopt a more ambitious role in public health by recognising obesity’s complexity.
The new UK government’s election manifesto focuses solely on tackling childhood obesity. While this is important, TDMR Europe argues that UK policymakers should also aim to address adult obesity.
TDMR Europe offers the following key recommendations to address adult obesity in the UK:
- Developing an Obesity Action Plan: This plan would explore all scientifically backed weight management methods, including TDRs and MRPs, to effectively tackle obesity.
- Aligning Regulations with the Latest Science: Ensuring the regulatory environment supports the latest scientific evidence is essential for the success of TDRs and MRPs.
Scientific Backing
Numerous studies highlight the effectiveness of TDRs and MRPs. Among others:
- Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT): This trial found significant weight loss and diabetes remission in participants using TDRs. Those maintaining a loss of more than 10kg showed a two-thirds success rate in diabetes remission after two years. Additionally, data from 85 participants in the original intervention group showed an average 5-year weight loss of 6.1 kg.
- PREVIEW Study: Conducted on over 2,200 individuals with pre-diabetes, this study demonstrated a 10% average weight loss using TDRs, significantly reducing the risk of developing diabetes.
These trials comprise only a fraction of the scientific evidence on record underscoring the potential of TDRs and MRPs as powerful tools in combating obesity and its associated health risks.
Economic and Health Benefits
Obesity in the UK costs the NHS £6.5 billion a year and is the second biggest preventable cause of cancer. By reducing obesity rates, TDRs and MRPs not only improve individual health but also alleviate economic burdens. In the DiRECT trial, nearly half of participants achieved remission of type 2 diabetes after one year by following a low-calorie TDR diet, with significant weight loss contributing to this outcome. Additionally, participants experienced a dramatic fall in blood pressure, averaging a drop of 10 mmHg, and showed improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiovascular risk, leading to fewer adverse events such as bacterial infections, strokes, and cancers.
The Path Forward
To maximise the benefits of TDRs and MRPs, the UK Government must prioritise evidence-based solutions. This includes supporting regulatory frameworks that reflect scientific advancements and ensuring access for all socio-economic groups. The UK has been a global leader in utilising TDR and MRP programmes and should continue to lead the way. Recently, NHS England introduced a Low Calorie Diet Programme to support thousands of people who are overweight and living with type 2 diabetes to support them to achieve remission. The programme has been a resounding success.
Embracing a New Era in Weight Management
The time has come for policymakers to move beyond prevention and address obesity with proven management strategies. By embracing TDRs and MRPs, the UK can continue to lead a transformative approach to health, ultimately reducing the prevalence of obesity and enhancing quality of life for millions.
TDMR Europe, in line with the European Association for the Study of Obesity’s Venice Declaration, calls for improving access to obesity management services in primary care and evidence-based interventions. TDMR Europe also calls for environmental and socio-economic factors influencing obesity to be addressed. By demanding evidence-based interventions, the full potential of TDR products can be unlocked, paving the way for a healthier future.
Find out more information about TDRs and MRPs here.
Please find a list of references to studies on TDRs and MRPs here.
About TDMR Europe:
TDMR Europe works to help stakeholders develop a better understanding of formula diet foods and aims to increase awareness of the scientific evidence showing the effectiveness of these products in tackling obesity and improving related comorbidities. Find out more here.
Grant Dunnery
TDMR Europe Secretariat