26.02.16
Government delay on childhood obesity is making problem worse – Cancer Research
Delays on releasing the government’s childhood obesity strategy are making the problem worse, Cancer Research UK has stated.
The delayed strategy is expected to tackle the problem of childhood obesity, which affects 19.1% of Year 6 children in England.
Cancer Research UK warned that the problem will grow more serious while the government delay.
Alison Cox, Cancer Research UK’s director of prevention, said: “David Cameron has called children’s obesity a crisis and yet the government has failed the next generation by stalling on one of its own health priorities.
“While the government delays, more children will become obese. The future health of our children depends on strong action right now. Every day counts.”
The charity is calling for a ban on junk food ads during family viewing times, a sugary drinks tax and more sugar to be taken out of food to help lower obesity rates.
The World Health Organisation and the Health Select Committee also back the sugar tax.
Professor David Haslam, chair of the National Obesity Forum, who sits on NHE’s editorial board, recently wrote that lifestyle changes are vital to tackling obesity.