The Medical Research Council (MRC), in partnership with the British Heart Foundation (BHF), is investing in the UK Obesity Research Institute (UK-ORI), which will bring together leading experts in biomedical science, medicine and technology to investigate the causes of obesity and its links to serious diseases.
The institute will examine why obesity affects some people differently from others, with research spanning its origins, prevention, treatment and long-term health consequences. Scientists will also explore the biological mechanisms behind obesity and use experimental medicine to test potential new therapies, helping speed up the development of safe and effective treatments.
The investment comes as obesity continues to place increasing pressure on individuals, the NHS and the wider economy. In England, there were 8,716 hospital admissions directly attributable to obesity during 2022-23, a 13 per cent increase on the previous year. Obesity was also recorded as a contributing factor in more than 1.2 million hospital admissions over the same period.
The British Heart Foundation's contribution to the project will focus on research into the impact of obesity on cardiovascular disease. Obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, contributing to tens of thousands of heart attacks and strokes across the UK each year.
Professor Patrick Chinnery, Executive Chair of the MRC, said: 'Obesity related illness costs the NHS £6 billion annually and is a leading cause of preventable premature death. But obesity is not simply a matter of excess body fat or eating too much. It is a complex biological condition involving the interaction of genetics, hormones, the brain, metabolism, behaviour and the environment.
'The UK Obesity Research Institute will bring together world-leading expertise to tackle this challenge from multiple angles. It will help us better understand the mechanistic causes of obesity, its links to other serious illnesses and how we can develop more effective ways of preventing and treating it. By supporting research that spans discovery science, experimental medicine and translation, we can help deliver the evidence and innovations needed. This will improve health outcomes for millions of people.'
Professor Bryan Williams, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the British Heart Foundation, said: 'Obesity is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, linked to tens of thousands of heart attacks and strokes every year in the UK. It is vital that we improve our understanding of how obesity impacts our national health. That's why we're delighted to be partnering with the Medical Research Council to establish the UK Obesity Research Institute.
Obesity is a complex condition that is too often misunderstood, yet it is one of the biggest drivers of heart disease and stroke. The institute will bring together leading researchers and invest in cutting-edge science, helping to transform our understanding of obesity. It will accelerate the development of new ways to prevent and treat it, ultimately helping more people to live in good health for longer.'
