Prime Minister Boris Johnson today announced a raft of measures in a bid to cut obesity in people of all ages after research showed those classed as obsese or overweight are more likely to fall seriously ill after contracting Covid-19.
According to government documents accompanying the plans, one in three children leave primary school obese or overweight.
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) states that one in four children are classed as medically overweight by age five.
As part of its new “Better Health” campaign the government is set to introduce new laws banning the advertising of foods high in fat, sugar or salt (HFSS) on television and online before 9pm which is when experts say children are most likely to see them.
The government is also set to hold a “short consultation” over whether the banning of adverts for HFSS should apply at all times of day.
Research conducted by Cancer Research UK shows that 47.6 per cent of all food adverts shown during September 2019 on ITV1, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky1 were for products high in fat, sugar and salt.
“This rises to almost 60 per cent during the 6pm to 9pm slot – the time slot where children’s viewing peaks.
“Evidence shows that exposure to HFSS advertising can affect what and when children eat, both in the short term and the longer term by shaping children’s preferences at a young age. This is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO),” the government’s strategy states.
Professor Russell Viner, president of the RCPCH said: “We have epidemic levels of obesity in the UK and we are storing up huge problems for children and young people unless we turn things around. Nearly one in four children are overweight by age five. This is a public health time bomb and it is right that the food industry is being held to account. We have a window of opportunity to make a huge difference to our children’s health with brave, evidence-based policy.”
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The Local Government Association (LGA) also welcomed the move but called for measures to go further to ban “clusters” of takeaways near schools.
Councillor Paulette Hamilton, vice chair of the Local Government Association’s community wellbeing board, said: “While councils are not opposed to fast food businesses, they also need tougher planning powers to tackle any clustering of takeaway outlets or junk food advertising, for example near schools.”
Despite a focus on banning adverts aimed at children as part of its strategy, the government has stressed: “Rather than focusing primarily on childhood obesity, the strategy represents a new focus on empowering adults to lose weight as well”.
Other measures set to be introduced by the government include banning promotions, including ‘buy one get one free’ offers, on foods high in fat and sugar, larger restaurant chains will be required to add calorie labels to menus and an expansion of NHS obesity services.
A consultation will also be launched over the use of the current ‘traffic light’ labelling system on food packaging by shoppers.
RCPCH welcomed the move to ban junk food adverts before 9pm but called on the government to “hold its nerve” and do more to tackle “epidemic levels” of childhood obesity.
