Britain must become more like France in order to tackle its obesity epidemic, the former chief medical officer has said.

Prof Dame Sally called for bold action to end a “snacking” culture and rebalance a “sick” society.

She said children in the UK were being “flooded” with unhealthy foods, saying the country should learn from France, where children sit down for meals, snack less and eat healthier fare.

MPs questioned officials on why just five per cent of children in Paris are obese, compared to 22 per cent in London.

“Children in France sit down in school to a shared meal that is nutritious. Our children in schools don’t,” said Dame Sally.