Rising childhood obesity: carrying on with the chips and Playstation 3 culture is not an option
Diane Abbott, Labour’s Shadow Public Health Minister, slams the government’s childhood obesity plans following the release of the National Child Measurement Programme statistics 2010/11:
‘Andrew Lansley’s response to this issue is deeply concerning. The entire strategy over the coming years can, shockingly, be summed up in two words: ‘eat less.’ His so-called ‘responsibility deals’ have taken the country backwards on public health, at a time when schools, families and health groups across the country are crying out for proper progress.
Ms Abbott raised concern at some the government’s recent announcements on childhood obesity.
‘What is needed is nothing short of a revolution and yet the government is really struggling with the basics. The government has axed its expert advisory group on obesity, is continuing to hollow out Change4Life, and has got fast food firms writing government policy for them with ‘responsibility deals.’ Equally concerning is the way the government is eroding school meal standards, ruling out a ban on trans-fats, and is rejecting the Food Standard Agency’s plans for reducing saturated fat content. The government isn’t even heading in the right direction on this issue.’
She added:
‘We need a national movement to tackle these problems, with proper and straight forward leadership from the government. Carrying on with the chips and Playstation 3 culture is not an option.’
--ENDS—
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