David Buck, Senior Fellow, Public Health and Inequalities at The King’s Fund, responded to the government’s new measures to tackle childhood obesity
‘These new measures are a significant upgrade on the current childhood obesity plan. The UK is the most obese nation in western Europe so we welcome the target to halve childhood obesity by 2030. The proposals to restrict the advertising of junk food and ban the sale of energy drinks to children signal a bolder and more active approach from the government.
‘The success of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy in encouraging manufacturers to reduce the amount of sugar in soft drinks highlights the important role of government intervention through regulation and taxation as part of an effective strategy to improve the public’s health. Although politicians often balk at the idea of the 'nanny state', there is evidence that this type of approach is often popular with the public.'
New measures announced to halve childhood obesity by 2030