Stopping child obesity

SIR – Big challenges require bold and brave action, and there is no bigger public health challenge than the increasing number of children who are affected by obesity.

In order to thrive, Britain needs its workforce of the future to be healthy; but, more than that, the Government has a duty to protect children and use all the tools at its disposal to create an environment in which they can grow up free from diseases linked to excess weight.

We agree that this Government should be applauded for its recent update to the childhood obesity plan, and we are particularly pleased to see action to restrict junk-food marketing and promotions that steer us towards unhealthy choices.

Creating a healthy environment requires action on many fronts, and there is lots more to do. We can’t be complacent and we will continue to urge the Government to go faster and further in implementing changes that will protect our children’s health. Prof Russell Viner

President, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Prof John Wass

Special Adviser on Obesity, Royal College of Physicians

Jamie Oliver

Alison Cox

Director of Prevention Cancer Research UK Helen Dickens

Assistant Director of Campaigns and Mobilisation, Diabetes UK and 20 others; see telegraph.co.uk