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Tackling Obesity in Tower Hamlets: The Role of Inter-professional Working
Introduction
Obesity remains one of the most pressing public health concerns in England, linked to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, and reduced life expectancy. Public Health England (2014), in its report From Evidence into Action: Opportunities to Protect and Improve the Nation’s Health, identified obesity as a key priority requiring urgent, coordinated action. This essay critically explores how inter-professional working contributes to tackling obesity in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, an area characterised by high deprivation, cultural diversity, and significant health inequalities. By applying theories of inter-professional and collaborative working, the discussion will evaluate how different health and social care providers work together to address obesity, how patient-centred care is embedded in these interventions, and the challenges and opportunities that shape collaborative practice in this context.
Background: Obesity in Tower Hamlets
Tower Hamlets presents a complex public health landscape. According to Public Health England (2023), nearly 27% of adults in Tower Hamlets are classified as obese, while child obesity rates are among the highest in London, with approximately 27% of Year 6 children obese compared to 23% across England. These figures reflect structural determinants of health, including poverty, limited access to healthy food, urban density, and high levels of ethnic minority populations who may face cultural barriers in dietary and physical activity practices (Tower Hamlets Public Health Report, 2022).
Obesity in Tower Hamlets is not solely a medical problem but a social issue that intersects with housing, education, employment, and cultural identity. This makes it a suitable case to examine through an inter-professional lens, as no single profession or sector can tackle the challenge in isolation.
Public Health England Priority: Tackling Obesity
Public Health England’s (2014) framework identified obesity as a national priority, recognising its link to preventable disease burden and unsustainable costs to the NHS. The strategy called for whole-system approaches that engage local government, schools, healthcare providers, voluntary organisations, and communities. In Tower Hamlets, this priority has been operationalised through initiatives such as the Healthy Schools Programme, community weight management services, and the Sugar Smart campaign. These interventions reflect the recognition that obesity prevention and management require collaboration across clinical and non-clinical settings.
Theoretical Frameworks of Inter-professional and Collaborative Working
Inter-professional collaboration can be analysed through several theoretical perspectives. The Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) Framework emphasises values and ethics, roles and responsibilities, inter-professional communication, and teamwork as core competencies. Similarly, Bronstein’s (2003) Model of Interdisciplinary Collaboration identifies five key components: interdependence, newly created professional activities, flexibility, collective ownership of goals, and reflection on process.
Applying these theories to Tower Hamlets, obesity interventions require dietitians, school nurses, general practitioners (GPs), community organisations, and social workers to work interdependently, pooling their expertise while adapting their roles to community needs. The success of such collaboration depends on clear communication channels, shared goals around obesity reduction, and mutual respect for each professional’s contribution.
