The Childhood Obesity Plan one year on – Children continue to become obese
Embargo: 00:01hrs Friday 18 August 2017
The Childhood Obesity Plan was published this time last year. Public Health England have announced the next steps to tackle childhood obesity including a new plan to reduce excess calories in a wide range of products, and to consider the evidence, set guidelines and closely monitor progress on calorie reduction. Look at this PDF: Press Release [PDF 247KB]
In response, Graham MacGregor, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at Queen Mary University of London and Chairman of Action on Sugar says: “The greatest health threat to the UK is obesity and type 2 diabetes. Whilst everyone acknowledges this, one year ago Theresa May watered down David Cameron’s plan for entirely political reasons. We need a much more robust plan with enforcement of the sugar and calorie reduction targets, at the same time, the sugar sweetened soft drinks levy needs to be extended to confectionery, the second biggest contributor of energy intakes in children. We must also have watertight restrictions on marketing unhealthy foods to children, with uniform front of pack labelling.
“Without the above, our children will continue to become obese and die prematurely from type 2 diabetes, heart disease, strokes and cancer.”
Katharine Jenner, Campaign Director for Action on Sugar says: “We are pleased that PHE are launching a programme to tackle excess calorie consumption, which we hope will be ambitious. But more children are becoming obese and developing type 2 diabetes, and yet the food industry continues to pump out unhealthy, calorific food at cheap prices. Fast food chains, takeaways, manufacturers and supermarkets must not wait until next Summer to start making their food healthier, they should start reducing calories today”
“PHE, who will be responsible for this work, must be fully resourced, and there must be strict enforcement and independent monitoring to ensure the food industry isn’t let off the hook.”
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