Professor Muir Gray, head of Knowledge for the NHS, responded: ‘We should hit patients with carrots’, when questioned about the rising obesity epidemic. The NHS cannot tackle it on its own and recent reviews have shown that altering the physical environment is a major component to combating the problem. The natural environment has a vital role to play as the carrot because major studies indicate that being near accessible green space can increase levels of physical activity.1
Natural England is campaigning for accessible quality green space near every home because this provides the opportunity for people to be more active.
Dr Fitzpatrick in the BJGP last month suggested that the Natural England health campaign is both …