Seen it on TV? Janine Wiedel/REX/Shutterstock

The UK government has announced its plans for tackling obesity in children, but has come under criticism for not going far enough.

The delayed strategy, published today, backs increasing physical activity in schools, and voluntary schemes to encourage food companies to reduce the sugar in their products.

Ministers hope the food industry will ultimately reduce sugar in foods like cereals, yoghurts and bread by 20 per cent, starting with a cut of 5 per cent in the first year. Government representatives said they opted for a voluntary scheme over legislation so that the industry could start taking steps immediately, rather than waiting for the law to be changed.


The levy on sugary drinks, announced in March and due to come into force from 2018, forms a central part of the government’s plans. The money raised is intended to go towards school sports and breakfast clubs.

The strategy also asks primary schools to ensure pupils get at least 60 minutes of exercise a day – half of which through PE lessons and active play, and the rest outside of school. “This government is absolutely committed to reducing childhood obesity, and one of the best ways to do this is to boost sports in schools,” says Nicola Blackwood, public health minister.

Watered-down

But the plans have been criticised for stopping short of restricting junk food adverts. “This strategy was meant to be published a year ago, we’ve had a year of delays, and now it has been watered-down to a plan that doesn’t even include marketing restrictions,” says Malcolm Clark, at the Children’s Food Campaign, which is funded by the British Heart Foundation charity.

“This is a truly shocking abdication of the government’s duties to secure the health and future of the next generation,” says Clark.

Between 1995 and 2011, childhood obesity rose in England from 11 to 17 per cent of boys and 12 to 16 per cent of girls.

The Obesity Health Alliance, a collective of charities and organisations including the British Heart Foundation, has previously suggested a 9pm watershed for televised advertisements for food and drink products that are high in sugar, salt and saturated fat.

Read more: I’ve found the real reason so many children are obese