Government obesity strategy delayed further

The government has confirmed that it has delayed the long-awaited obesity strategy until the autumn.

The strategy was originally due to be published this week, after being delayed from its publication date last year.

The scheme will put forward various ways to reduce sugar consumption through better regulation of the food industry.

A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "Work on the strategy continues and it will be published in due course. We have said before it was going to be in the summer, but we have never had a confirmed date for it."

In a joint statement, the Obesity Health Alliance, a coalition of over 30 charities, including Diabetes UK, British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK, said: "It is very disappointing that that the government has once again delayed the publication of its childhood obesity strategy.

"For the sake of our children's health, it's vital we tackle the obesity epidemic which is jeopardising their future wellbeing. We urge the government to use the next few weeks to ensure the strategy is comprehensive and bold and one that truly has children's health and wellbeing at its heart.

"To ensure the strategy is effective it must include measures to significantly reduce sugar, saturated fat and salt from food and drinks, close loopholes to reduce children's exposure to junk food marketing and include full implementation of the soft drinks industry levy."

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This story was first published in digitalhealth.net

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