FAT’S YOUR LOT
Calorie crackdown in battle to beat Britain’s obesity crisis
THE war on obesity will not succeed unless starved health budgets are urgently fattened up, critics warn.
It came as ministers launched a crackdown on junk food amid growing evidence that excess weight is linked to a higher risk from coronavirus
The battle plan includes a ban on TV and online adverts for unhealthy food before the 9pm watershed and an end to buy-one-get-one-free promotions on calorie-packed grub.
Calorie counts will have to be shown on booze and on food chain menus.
And GPs will be urged to prescribe cycling as a weight-loss aid.
However, critics pointed out that as Britain’s waistlines have expanded, health funding has shrunk.
Paulette Hamilton of the Local Government Association said: “For any obesity strategy to be successful, the Government must reverse public health funding cuts and invest in these vital services so councils can supplement important population-wide interventions by targeting those most at risk.”
Labour warned the Government not to delay the measures after it emerged there would be three separate consultations to examine the plans.
Shadow Health Minister Alex Norris said: “We’ve had big promises before from Tory ministers on banning junk food advertising, only for measures to be kicked into the long grass of consultation. An effective obesity strategy needs action, not consultation. The Tories have pared public health to the bone and people are paying the price.” Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver welcomed the plans after “years of delay”, but added: “There is still a long way to go.”
The Better Health campaign will provide advice to around 35 million Brits, including a
12-week diet plan to aid weight loss. The measures are another U-turn for Boris Johnson, who until recently has been a vocal opponent of “sin taxes” and “nanny state” interventions on public health.
The Prime Minister, who claims he lost a “stone and a bit” in his own brush with the virus, said: “Losing weight is hard but with some small changes we can all feel fitter and healthier.
“If we all do our bit, we can reduce our health risks and protect ourselves against coronavirus – as well as taking pressure off the NHS.”
Those classed as medically obese have a 40% greater chance of dying from coronavirus, a Public Health England study has revealed.
Almost two in three adults in England are overweight or obese, and one in three children leaves primary school overweight or obese. Obesity-related illnesses cost the NHS £6billion a year.
The Government plans to consult firstly on whether the ban on online ads should apply at all times of day, secondly on plans to put calorie counts on booze, and thirdly on whether “traffic light” labels on food could be more effective.