This neighborhood study aims to examine the demographics of Hillingdon Primary Care Trust (HPCT), such as age, gender, ethnicity and social groups in relation to prevention of obesity. An overview of the prevalence of obesity and its causes and effects will be assessed. Public health strategies regarding obesity prevention and its effects in relation to government strategies will be discussed. The role of the nurse as an educator in relation to this public health issue, the strategies formulated by the HPCT to prevent obesity and the way in which it focuses on other diseases associated with obesity will be discussed. The following section provides a definition of obesity, health education and health prevention. The World Health Organization (WHO) (2010) defines obesity and overweight as abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat that can be detrimental to health. Body mass index (BMI), as proposed by Arterburn et al (2008), is a measure of body fat based on height and weight and further suggests that anyone with a BMI over 30 is considered obese. Tannahill et al (1999) advocate that health education could be considered as a communication activity aimed at improving health and preventing health problems among individuals and groups by influencing their beliefs, attitudes and behaviors of people holding the power and community. Butler et al (2008) define health prevention as measures for early detection of a healthy gap. While Heath (2002) agrees that the role and function of the nurse emphasizes health promotion and disease prevention, the Ministry of Health (2010) emphasizes disease prevention , life extension and the promotion of health rather than treatment. ...... middle of document ......blichealth/Healthimprovement/FiveADay/DH_4069867 [Accessed 03/15/2011]National Audit Office. (2007) Combating childhood obesity [online]. Available at: http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0001/ [Accessed 15/03/2011].National Institute for Clinical Health and Excellence. (2006) Obesity: the prevention, identification, assessment and management of overweight and obesity in adults and children [online]. Available at: http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG43 [Accessed 03/19/2011].Sethi, JK, Vidal-Puig, AJ, (2007). Targeting fats to prevent diabetes. Cellular metab. . 5 (5), 357-70. Tannahill, A., Tannahill, C. and Downie, RS (1999) Health Promotion. Models and values. Oxford University Press. World Health Organization. (2010) Obesity factfiles [online]. Available at: http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/obesity/en/ [Accessed on 19/03/2011].