Doctors call for tax of fizzy drinks and parents to be given eating advice following obesity crisis
Doctors are calling for more action to tackle obesity including a tax on sugary soft drinks and new parents being issued advice on feeding their children.
Banning the number of fast food outlets near schools and leisure centres are also amongst the proposals put forward by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.
It is urging government ministers, the NHS, councils and food firms, to break the cycle of "generation after generation falling victim to obesity-related illnesses and death".
Those with obesity are more at risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer and said to be dying needlessly.
50% off enrolment fee & no contract. Join online today at...
View detailsJoin online today and get 50% off the enrolment fee on our no-contract £15.99per month membership. Use voucher code CHELT32GLOS at step 3 of the joining process. Offer ends Sunday 23rd!
Terms: Offer valid for online sales only; Voucher valid on £15.99 peak membership only; Voucher code valid for Cheltenham club only
Contact: 0
Valid until: Sunday, June 23 2013
Currently one in four adults in England is obese, and the figures are expected to rise to 60 per cent of men, half of women and a quarter of children by 2050.
The report follows a year-long and recommendations include:
• An experimental 20 per cent tax on sugary soft drinks with the potential £1 billion it nets spent on weight management programs.
• Councils limit the number of fast food outlets allowed to operate near schools, colleges, leisure centres and other places where children gather.
• NHS staff to talk to overweight patients about eating and exercise at every appointment, along with offering them help.
• The NHS to spend at least £300 million over the next three years on weight management programs.
• More bariatric surgery for those with severe obesity to help those most at risk of dying.
• Hospitals adopt the same nutritional standards for the food they serve that apply to state schools and end fast food outlets and vending machines on hospital premises.
• Health visitors to advise new parents how to feed their children properly.
• Academies and free schools have to serve healthy food in their canteens, along with state schools.
Comments