As Government launches strategy

lead healthy lifestyles that are sustainable.”

Professor Spector, also from King’s College London, added: “The UK already had an obesity problem before the pandemic and what our latest data shows is the lockdown has made it worse.

“It’s therefore really important that we help the public understand the implications this will have on their long-term health, with a particular focus on those in deprived areas who already suffer from the worst economic and health issues.

“It’s essential that we don’t let this pandemic have an even greater impact on our future. If we don’t act now, this will create even more heart disease, diabetes and cancer leading to even larger medical and social bills.

“Banning junk food adverts isn’t going nearly far enough. We need tougher measures like extending sugar taxes to junk food and subsidising fresh fruit and vegetables.

“With these and much better public education – we have the opportunity to have a real impact on health in the UK.”

On Monday, the Prime Minister admitted that he struggles with his own weight as he urged people to take action to improve their health. In a video released to mark the launch of the Government’s obesity strategy, Boris Johnson said he had lost at least a stone in weight after recovering from coronavirus.

Two-thirds of UK adults are above a healthy weight, according to Government data, and one in three children aged 10 to 11 are overweight or obese.