Only decisive action now will be able to halt crisis

WITH one in three children either overweight or obese before they leave primary school, it is now clearer than ever that bold, decisive action needs to be taken.

In the latest chapter of its Childhood Obesity Plan, the Government laid out its commitment to halving childhood obesity by 2030. Our latest analysis provides yet more evidence that the Government, and industry, urgently need to turn these commitments into action.

Type 2 diabetes is a serious, life-long condition that can lead to devastating complications. What we’re seeing in these new figures is that obesity is driving this alarming increase in the number of children and young people with the condition, which is potentially setting them up for a lifetime of poor health.

The NHS must provide appropriate specialist services to support children with Type 2 to manage the condition and reduce the risk of serious complications. But the diabetes crisis is one that must be fought on many fronts. We want to see continued funding within the NHS for preventing Type 2 and a commitment to the improvement of care services which reflects the seriousness of this growing epidemic.

And the fact is, we live in a society where making the healthy choice is not always the easy choice.

The public tell us they want more information about the food and drink they buy. That’s why today we’re also reiterating our call on the Government to enact their plans to commit to clear, consistent calorie labelling in restaurants, cafes and takeaways, to ban junk food advertising on TV to children before 9pm, and to restrict supermarket price promotions for unhealthy foods.

We owe it to future generations to get this right. Type 2 does not have to be an inevitability, but turning the tide on this serious, devastating condition will only be possible with decisive action from government.

‘We owe it to young people of the future to get this issue right’