‘Walk a mile’ aim to help obese kids
BIRMINGHAM schoolkids will be encouraged to run or walk a mile every day, under the Government’s latest plans to cut obesity.
Other measures include requiring cafes and restaurants to reveal how many calories are in the food they serve.
They’re part of a range of policies announced by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, designed to halve childhood obesity by 2030.
NHS figures show that 11.5 per cent of Birmingham children in reception, a little more than one in ten, are obese.
And 25.2 per cent of Birmingham children in year six, a quarter, are obese. Year six children are usually aged ten or 11.
Across England as a whole, 20 per cent of year six children, one in five, are obese. The figures also show that 40.1 per cent of Birmingham children in year six, four out of ten, are either obese or overweight.
Mr Hunt said: “Parents want what is best for their children, but keeping them healthy and active can be difficult.”
Measures announced Government include: by the
Calling on every primary school to introduce an “active mile” initiative, which means children and staff walk, jog or run a mile each day
Banning stores from displaying unhealthy food at checkouts or including it in buy-one-get-onefree deals.
A consultation on calorie labelling on menus in restaurants, cafés and takeaways, in a similar way to labelling that already exists on food sold in shops
A consultation banning the sale of harmful, caffeine-laden energy drinks to children. A quarter of 6-9 year-olds consume these energy drinks, which have as much caffeine as a cup of coffee.
Possible restrictions on unhealthy food adverts shown during TV programmes up to 9pm.
This is part two of the Government’s anti-obesity strategy.
The first part, announced previously, included a sugar tax on highsugar soft drinks, and setting a target of cutting sugar content of all food and drinks by 20 per cent.
Mr Hunt said: “It is near impossible to shield children from exposure to unhealthy foods. Parents are asking for help – we know that over three quarters of parents find offers for sugary sweets and snacks at checkouts annoying.
“It’s our job to give power to parents to make healthier choices, and to make their life easier in doing so.”
Labour says it has plans to halve childhood obesity within a decade as part of a commitment to having “the healthiest children in the world”.
Policies include a ban on adverts for junk food, sweets and sugary drinks on primetime television shows such as X Factor, Hollyoaks and Britain’s Got Talent.
The party is also pledging to increase restrictions to online junk food advertising, saying children are spending more time online than watching TV.