What Obesity UK does

Obesity UK is a UK registered charity (charitable status since 2013, originally founded as HOOP UK in 2010 by Lesley McCormack) that operates as a membership organisation representing people living with obesity. Its core function is providing peer-led support, patient advocacy, and educational resources to adults and children affected by overweight and obesity across the United Kingdom. The charity's service portfolio centres on a distributed community of online Facebook support groups (main, BMI 40+, bariatric surgery, pregnancy, family, teen), a small number of face-to-face regional volunteer groups, two podcast series ('The Reality of Obesity' and 'The PC Podcast: Obesity on Air'), peer-support training toolkits (including specialised versions for South Asian Muslim women and LGBTQIA+ communities), and policy advocacy via joint responses with organisations such as BOMSS and the European Coalition for People with Obesity (ECPO).

The operating technology stack is entirely off-the-shelf and digital-first: Facebook Groups, Donorbox for donations, Zoom webinars, podcast distribution via Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and a WordPress-based website. No proprietary platform, API, SDK, or AI/ML system is described; the charity has no mobile app and no disclosed data flywheel or analytics infrastructure.

The business model is a non-profit funding model. Revenue is generated through individual donations (one-time and recurring via Donorbox), National Lottery 'Awards For All' grants, community fundraising (sponsored walks, quiz nights, bake sales, Easyfundraising), and corporate/pharmaceutical partnerships that underwrite specific campaigns — notably Eli Lilly's 'Shame. Blame. Stigma.', Novo Nordisk's 'The Truth From Within', Moderna's 'Stay on Track', with Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices supporting the 'Reality of Obesity' podcast. The charity is governed by a board of trustees, led on an interim basis by Professor Paul Gately (Professor of Exercise and Obesity at Leeds Beckett University), with Operations Manager Alison Forster and a small 1–10 person core team supplemented by trained volunteers and a growing Patient Advocate programme.

Name

Obesity UK

Legal name

Obesity UK

Website

https://obesityuk.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Obesity UK is a UK registered charity and membership organisation that provides peer-led support groups, patient advocacy, and educational resources for adults and children living with obesity across the United Kingdom.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Patient Advocacy and Support Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Diet and Weight Reducing Centers (812191)

akta.pro primary industry

Obesity Medicine & Weight Management (HLAKADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Weight Loss Coaching (Non-Clinical) (HSADAFAB), Weight Management & Behavior Change Education (EDAAAHAF)

Keywords

• Obesity support charity
• Patient advocacy services
• Peer support groups
• Weight stigma awareness
• Community health charity

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Obesity UK relies on donations from kind-hearted individuals to raise money and change lives. The charity accepts one-time and recurring donations through Donorbox platform.
2. Membership: Operates as a membership organisation representing the voice of people with obesity. Members form mutual support groups.
3. Fundraising: Various fundraising activities including sponsored walks/runs, charity challenges, quiz nights, auctions, bake sales, and social media fundraising campaigns. Also benefits from Easyfundraising shopping partnerships.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Obesity UK is a registered charity and membership organisation that delivers peer-led support services for people living with overweight and obesity in the UK. It provides online Facebook support groups, face-to-face regional peer support groups, awareness podcasts, peer support training toolkits, and policy advocacy, operating on donations, grants, and corporate sponsorship.

Product overview

Obesity UK is a registered charity operating as a membership organization that provides support services for people living with obesity. The organization offers a unified portfolio of peer support services including online Facebook support groups (main support, bariatric surgery, pregnancy, family, teen, and recipe groups), the PC Podcast and Reality of Obesity podcast series for education and awareness, campaign initiatives (Stay on Track with Moderna, The Truth From Within with Novo Nordisk), peer support training toolkits, and advocacy through policy responses and public engagement. These services work together to provide community support, education, and advocacy for individuals affected by obesity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Obesity UK Support Groups Peer-led support services providing non-judgmental support for people living with obesity, including online Facebook communities (Main Support Group, BMI 40+ Extra Support Group, Bariatric Surgery Groups, Pregnancy Support, Family Group, Teen Support Group) and face-to-face regional groups across the UK.
• The PC Podcast: Obesity on Air Podcast series hosted by Paul Gately and Colin Ord exploring the science and reality of living with obesity, dispelling myths and sharing personal experiences.
• The Reality of Obesity Podcast Five-part podcast series examining obesity in the UK, covering social stigma, COVID-19 impact, weight stigma, the psychology of eating, and weight management treatment.
• The Truth From Within Campaign Awareness campaign created and funded by Novo Nordisk featuring stories and photographic portraits of people living with obesity to challenge stigma.
• Stay on Track Campaign Partnership-led awareness campaign with Moderna encouraging people with BMI 40+ to take preventive health steps ahead of autumn and winter to reduce illness.
• Peer Support Training Toolkits Training resources and toolkits for facilitators of peer support groups, including specialised materials for South Asian Muslim women and LGBTQIA+ communities.
• World Obesity Day Live Webinar Annual online event hosted by Obesity UK exploring the lived reality of obesity, gaps in UK support systems, and what compassionate obesity care should look like.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,000+ members by 2013, growing to support 14 million adults living with obesity in the UK

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Eli Lilly and Company UK & IrelandcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical company partnership. Eli Lilly developed the 'Shame. Blame. Stigma.' campaign to shift the obesity conversation and reframe obesity as a disease, not a choice. Obesity UK supports this campaign message.
• ECPO (European Coalition for People with Obesity)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean partnership with ECPO, the European Coalition for People with Obesity, working together on European-level obesity advocacy and policy.
• Boston ScientificminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedical device company partner supporting Obesity UK's mission.
• ModernaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership on the 'Stay on Track' campaign encouraging people with BMI 40+ to take steps to prevent winter illness. Visit StayOnTrackThisAutumn.co.uk.
• Leeds Beckett UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership. CEO Paul Gately is a Professor of Exercise and Obesity at Leeds Beckett University. Co-director of Centre for Applied Obesity Research.
• NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership. Operations Manager Alison Forster oversees funding and reimbursements for NIHR projects and coordinates with academic and healthcare professionals.
• MIMS LearningminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare education partner providing resources and professional development for healthcare professionals.
• Novo NordiskcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical company that created and funded 'The Truth From Within' campaign - a photography project showcasing people living with obesity.
• Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices CompaniesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupported the 'Reality of Obesity Podcast' series. JJMD had no editorial input into the content.
• Public Health EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment health agency partner. Worked with Obesity UK on Community Champions Programme (2014/15) and Whole Systems Approach to Obesity.
• BOMSS (British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional society partnership. Joint response to Government Obesity Strategy with Obesity UK & BOMSS Joint Response.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Slimming World: UK-based weight management organization with group support network. Both organizations serve people managing obesity through group/peer support, though Slimming World operates a commercial rather than charitable model.
• World Obesity Federation: Global non-profit focused on obesity research, policy, and advocacy. While more research-oriented and global, both organizations share the mission of reframing obesity as a disease and engaging in policy influence around weight management.
• WW (Weight Watchers): Commercial weight management program operating in the UK with group-based support and subscription model. Comparable in serving people seeking weight management support, though commercial rather than charity-based.
• ECPO (European Coalition for People with Obesity): European-level patient advocacy organization for people with obesity. Obesity UK is a direct partner and both organizations collaborate on policy advocacy, making ECPO the closest direct peer in mission and constituency.
• BOMSS (British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society): UK professional society for obesity and metabolic surgery. Collaborates with Obesity UK on policy responses (Joint Response to Government Obesity Strategy), making it a peer in advocacy and shared patient interests.

Broad incumbents

• Diabetes UK: Large UK health charity supporting people with diabetes, a closely related chronic condition often comorbid with obesity. Compares as a much larger incumbent in the same health charity space that also receives pharma funding and engages UK government on chronic disease policy.
• British Heart Foundation: Major UK health charity with obesity as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. A broader incumbent that competes for charity donations and government grant funding while also addressing obesity-related health issues.

Others

• Public Health England (now OHID): UK government body that previously partnered with Obesity UK on the Community Champions Programme. Functions as a funder/partner in obesity policy rather than a direct competitor, but addresses the same population.
• All-Party Parliamentary Group on Obesity: UK parliamentary group focused on obesity policy. Comparable in engaging UK government on obesity issues but operates as a political forum rather than a member support organization.

Emerging players

• Counterweight (charity/program model): UK-based weight management programme historically delivered through NHS and primary care. Comparable as a UK-focused weight management service provider addressing obesity through structured programs, though more clinically oriented.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ObesityUK_org
• Facebookfacebook.com/Obesityuk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/obesityuk
• Instagraminstagram.com/obesityuk_charity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Obesity UK