A call for a Cabinet overlord to be put in charge of tackling Britain’s growing obesity crisis came today as experts welcomed a new report highlighting the obesity epidemic affecting children in Britian.

Backing the Royal College of Physicians joint report, Storing Up Problems, Prof Philip James, chairman of the International Obesity TaskForce, said the need for action was more urgent than ever.

Today's report echoes recommendations already delivered to the government by a consortium of NGOs led by the IOTF, calling for an independent agency with regulatory powers to coordinate government departments delivery on policies to prevent obesity and reduce levels of diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

Prof James said the RCP report emphasized the IOTF's evidence that childhood obesity was now rising so rapidly it presents a "health timebomb" for the present generation. It forecasts that childhood obesity and overweight levels to rise to 20-30% by 2020.

"The health service is already struggling with difficulties in delivery and the added burden of obesity-related diseases in the coming years could stretch the NHS to breaking point," he warned.

An action list covering more than 80 separate recommendations was delivered to the government by a wide grouping of NGOs and experts who attended a one-day conference convened by the Coronary Prevention Group and the International Obesity TaskForce in London last November. The conference recommendations are to be considered by the House of Commons Select Committee on Health at the conclusion of its long running inquiry into obesity.

In addition to a cabinet minister to take overall change, the action list proposes:

·Using government purchasing power to expand the market for fresh healthy foods while counteracting the current subsidies supporting the ingredients in high fat/sugar/salt products

·Clear food labelling, with warnings on foods which breach WHO and Department of Health nutritional guidelines.

·An emphasis on encouraging physical activity in planning, transport and rural development policies

Prof Philip James, an adviser to the Commons select committee’s inquiry, said that a powerful Cabinet post was essential to coordinate various government departments. “We need coherent government strategies to be implemented rapidly and effectively.The crucial thing now is to address the rapid epidemic of childhood obesity and defuse the time bomb of type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases which is ticking away.”

“We also need to tackle commercial influences and the food and drink businesses need to face up to their responsibilities to curb the high-pressure marketing of the products we know are contributing to the problem and to deliver on promises to be part of the solution by providing better products that people can enjoy while improving their dietary health,” he added.

Neville Rigby,
Director of Policy and Public Affairs,
IASO/International Obesity TaskForce
231 North Gower Street
London NW1 2NS
Tel 0207 691 1907
Mobile 07939250347
Email: obesity@iotf.org
website : www.iotf.org/media

International Obesity TaskForce

Press Statement - for immediate release Feb 11 2004