New plans to halve childhood obesity by 2030

Obesity contributes to illnesses that cost the NHS in the region of £6 billion a year to treat. The government wants to halve the increasing numbers of overweight and obese children by 2030 by introducing calorie labelling on menus in all food establishments in an uncomplicated and consistent way so we can all make informed choices about the food children eat. Tax on high sugar soft drinks and the prohibition of selling energy drinks to children are also proposed, as well as preventing shops from having sweets, money saving incentives and other unhealthy food at the checkout.

The government also wants to encourage companies to reduce the sugar and calorie content of their products, and to change advertising rules to stop companies from targeting children in their adverts for unhealthy food and drink.

Public health minister Steve Brine said one in three children are now overweight or obese by the time they leave primary school, as a result of “dangerous overconsumption, combined with reduced activity” which is “having a catastrophic effect on our children’s health, limiting their potential and putting them at risk of a shorter life.”

Mr Hunt said: “Parents want what is best for their children, but keeping them healthy and active can be difficult. It is near impossible to shield children from exposure to unhealthy foods. The cost of obesity – both on individual lives and our NHS – is too great to ignore. Today we are taking steps to ensure that by 2030, children from all backgrounds have the help they need for a healthier, more active start in life.”

The National Obesity Forum said: “For too long our environment has continually steered us towards high fat and sugar options with relentless advertising and promotions. There is no silver bullet to tackling childhood obesity, and these measures, alongside programmes already underway, must be sustained and built upon over the long-term if we are to see a significant reduction in the number of children with an unhealthy weight.”