Addressing obesity in the population

Several years ago when I first moved to Scotland I registered with a new doctor and as part of the initial checkup they weighed me, noted that I was obese and suggested that diet and exercise were needed. That is the last I heard about it; I remained obese for some years afterward. They haven't weighed me since so I would guess that their files still have me noted as being overweight.

It occurs to me that the government and public discourse seem greatly concerned with the incidence of obesity in the populace but also that I have not really heard much from the NHS, the local council or anybody else about what help might be available. Okay, perhaps it would be tricky for doctors to mail out letters saying, you're dangerously fat, how about a referral to a nutritionist? or whatever but I can imagine that we could be gently informed about simple dietary guidelines and easy, appealing, healthful recipes or subsidized programs at the local sports facilities or walking groups or weight loss support groups (rather than monthly-subscription proprietary plans) or whatever, I don't know. Something, anyway. Are such available locally? I don't know.

For all the official fretting about sugar in drinks and clear food labeling and whatnot I realize that I have seen very little practical advice or assistance pushed to me. Most of what I have noticed is because I already have an interest in diet and have sought it out myself.